For as long as she can remember, Tunisian Ons Jabeur has had a dream to become one of the best players in the world.

“It was like very, very personal for me,” the 26-year-old says of that goal.

Making her Centre Court debut at Wimbledon on Friday, the No.21 seed Jabeur showed her dream is finally becoming a reality as she dazzled the crowd with her entertaining brand of tennis to dispatch two-time Grand Slam champion and ex-world No.1 Garbiñe Muguruza 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 and become the first Arab woman to reach the last-16 stage at the All England Club.

“It is [the best day of my tennis career],” Jabeur said on court, after securing a fourth round meeting with No.7 seed Iga Swiatek.

“I’m not saying this so you guys come cheer for me in the next round but this is my favourite Centre Court in the world. I’m telling the truth, I swear. The energy is amazing. I’m so, so, so happy.”

“[Muguruza] plays unbelievable on grass, everybody knows that. I lost against her last time so this was kind of my revenge here, in a nice way.”

"I had so many opportunities in this match that it's a little disappointing from my side because I couldn't convert them," lamented Muguruza. "Especially in the second set I felt like I should have dominated more in these moments and take the advantage, and I couldn't.

"I think grass helps her game. I feel like she's very comfy. I saw she won a tournament two weeks ago. She's a very talented player. She needs to be confident to be able to play her game, and right now she is."

Muguruza was trying to make the fourth round for the first time since her triumphant title run at Wimbledon in 2017, and had experience on her side. But Jabeur has won more matches than anyone else on tour this year – she joins Aryna Sabalenka with a WTA-leading 32 victories – and is fuelled by her desire to make history for Tunisia, North Africa and the Arab world.

In the build-up to The Championships Jabeur became the first Arab woman to win a WTA trophy, thanks to her success on the grass courts of Birmingham. Her list of ‘firsts’ by a woman from her region is an extensive one, and she is determined to show future generations that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Muguruza is a mental beast. She trained with Spain’s Civil Guard during her off-season last year, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro the previous season, and when feeling good on court, can have unshakeable resolve.

The only previous meeting between Jabeur and the Spaniard was a two-and-a-half hour duel that ended 7-6 in the third in the Spaniard’s favour on hard courts in Hobart last year.

Friday’s showdown was just as gruelling. The opening set was a titanic battle that saw Muguruza save 10 of 12 break points.

Jabeur can be a human highlight reel and that was on full display from the start. After getting broken at the beginning of the contest, she managed to create a break point with a sensational around-the-net-post winner, worthy of earning Shot of the Day honours. But Muguruza staved off both opportunities Jabeur had on her serve to hold for a 2-0 advantage.

The Spaniard also pulled off a great escape on her next service game but Jabeur finally capitalised on her chances in game six to level the set for 3-3. Serving for the opening set after gaining a break for 5-4, Muguruza took a bad tumble on a net approach and despite saving five break points, she couldn’t close it out, Jabeur letting out a huge roar as she pegged her opponent back.

The Tunisian’s rejoice was brief though as Muguruza reclaimed her lead and wrapped up a set that lasted nearly an hour.

The second set was more of the same as Jabeur applied pressure on the Muguruza serve but kept seeing those chances slip away. The breakthrough for the No.21 seed came in the eighth game, a sublime drop volley helping her to a 5-3 lead.

“She is the disruptor,” said commentator Sam Smith of Jabeur, who showed great mastery in mixing up the pace against the powerful Spaniard.

From 0-40 down, Jabeur swept the next five points to level the match and force a decider. With a 16th consecutive point won, the Tunisian moved up 2-0, and 0-40 on the Muguruza serve in the final set.

“This is only a third round, it could be quarters or semis, the quality is so high,” said commentator and former world No.1 Tracy Austin. She was not wrong.

Muguruza steadied the ship to hold but a free-hitting Jabeur found her range to carve a 5-1 opening. The North African fell to ground as she sealed the win on her second match point, unleashing her 43rd winner of the contest.

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