The Tunisian will hope to repeat and beat a Roland-Garros 2023 quarter-final run
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTThe 'Minister of Happiness' Ons Jabeur roared in celebration with plenty of fist pumps on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, having edged Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 7-6(5) on Friday.
The world No.9 can look forward to a second-week spot, with Danish youngster Clara Tauson representing the next obstacle in Paris.
It's fair to say – by her own top 10 standards – that the No.8 seed hasn’t hit the ground running in 2024.
Her right knee has been the predominant cause, denying her consistency and freedom on court.
Three victories in Paris have brought the 29-year-old's season tally to 9-9 so far, including a three-set tussle full of ebbs and flows with Camila Osorio.
Jabeur is making sure she digs deep to prolong her journey on the terre battue this fortnight.
Backed into a corner on Friday, the Tunisian trailblazer eventually found the answer.
Serving at 4-3, Jabeur lost a break lead. She broke back to love and then, mixing it up with spins, flicks and tricks, the three-time Grand Slam finalist stole the set.
It could have been a very different outlook for the second.
At 1-3 down, Jabeur recalibrated and teased Fernandez to go for daring shots, and it worked. Jabeur powered a forehand down the line to restore parity, eliciting loud applause from the crowd. The women's tour's greatest showwoman was finding her range.
At 4-5 the 29-year-old fended off set point and reeled Fernandez in for a tie-break. It was finely poised and tense, but Jabeur didn’t shy away, showing all her Grand Slam experience.
"I’m very happy I could adapt my strategy to her game," Jabeur said during her on-court interview. "I played good shots when I needed to. I knew I needed to win in two otherwise it would be very hard for me in the third."
Simply put, an astute, increasingly confident Jabeur is capable of great things.
Jabeur's all-court repertoire makes her one of the most exhilarating players to watch in the sport.
On Friday, she put away nine trademark drop shots and 14 powerful passing shots.
However, there were fewer ventures to the net. In the first two matches, Jabeur succeeded with 29 out of 38 of her net shots, but facing Fernandez, the Tunisian only went to the net 10 times to connect with five volleyed winners.
More trips to the net could help Jabeur avoid too many tight spots, allowing her to control the rally and then nip forward to cut the point short.
Yes, you read that correctly. Don't worry, it's the No.8 seed being mischievous once again.
Jabeur was asked on court about her worldwide popularity, how she's become a fan favourite thanks to her versatility and positive attitude.
"I don’t know. Not everybody loves me. I can give names of people who really hate me," she joked.
"I try to keep smiling and to be nice with everybody. It’s not easy, especially in difficult moments but a career in tennis doesn’t last forever. People will also keep in mind the person I am. It’s very important for me to keep that smile and to behave well with everybody, given that I have to lead by example for many young people who follow me in Tunisia and the Arab world. It’s just normal to stay as I am."
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTAs usual, Jabeur was a joy in her post-match press conference – cracking jokes but also making sure the rest of the draw knows she means business.
"I think it's one of the best matches definitely I played in this year. Just reminding everyone that I'm still here," the No.8 seed joked.
"It's also nice to prove for myself because I've been in a bad place for months trying to get back playing and gain my confidence back.
"To be in the second week, it's really important for me and for recognising the hard work that I did."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
