(VIDEO) Sabalenka responds to Jabeur's early win disappointment: "I saw that, sending her kisses and love"
WTAWednesday, 12 July 2023 at 23:45
The Belarusian player advanced to the semifinals after a comfortable victory over American Madison Keys in straight sets. Aryna Sabalenka is the second seed and is just one match away from becoming the world No. 1. With Iga Swiatek's elimination (at the hands of Elina Svitolina), reaching the final would be enough for her to claim the top spot in the rankings.
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She faces a tough challenge ahead as she takes on Ons Jabeur, who reached the final of the 2022 Wimbledon and has had a great week, including victories over Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, and defending champion Elena Rybakina.
Jabeur played a three-set match against Rybakina, taking 1 hour and 55 minutes to secure the victory. On the other hand, Sabalenka took less than an hour and a half to defeat Keys comfortably with a score of 6-2, 6-4, showing her superiority over the American player.
Regarding Jabeur's comments, the world No. 2 referred to them in a post-match press conference, saying:
"I saw that. I was in the locker room watching her interview. Sending her kisses and love."
"I think it's not going to give me any advantage, but anyway, it's going to be a great battle, tough match. So, it doesn't matter what she said, it's just, just a fun girl."
Sabalenka and Jabeur will face each other on Friday on the Center Court, vying for a spot in the final. On the other side of the draw, there are two players who have surprised the favorites, with a match between Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
In the quarterfinals, two out of the three favorites (Rybakina and Swiatek) have already been eliminated, making Sabalenka the top contender to win the third Grand Slam of the year. However, Jabeur has shown in these past two weeks that she has the level to claim her first Slam title, after finishing as a runner-up in two finals in 2022.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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