The ‘Minister of Happiness’ Ons Jabeur officially entered exhibition mode on Centre Court, but don’t be fooled, the Tunisian trailblazer is well and truly in business mode too.
Bouncing around the baseline, cracking a gleeful grin on several occasions, the world No.6 was thoroughly enjoying her Monday afternoon outing.
Last year’s runner-up brushed aside two-time champion Petra Kvitova 6-0, 6-3 to book a repeat of her 2022 final against Elena Rybakina in the last eight.
"I'm loving every moment that I'm here. You guys have no idea the energy you bring to me,” said the beaming 28-year-old, acknowledging her vocal support on Centre Court.
“I just want to win every match so I can see you the next day, so remember this because I'm playing Rybakina," she added.
Twelve months on from her Champinonships decider, it’s Jabeur versus Rybakina once again.
"It will be a difficult match. I'm probably going for my revenge. It was a difficult final last year,” continued Jabeur, recalling her heartbreaking three set loss last summer.
"It's going to bring a lot of memories. I'm hoping to play like today and just get the win. She's an amazing player.
“You can see she's like 'boom boom' all the time! There's no mercy with her so let's see what's going to happen."
Kvitova strolled on to court with a favourable 4-1 record against Jabeur. Added to that, the Czech had warmed up for Wimbledon with a sixth career title on the grass in Berlin.
However, Jabeur meant business from the very start.
Chasing down a Kvitova drop shot, the Tunisian dinked a forehand winner from by her laces. Same situation moments later, same outcome.
And the best was yet to come. Jabeur was oozing confidence when she clipped a sumptuous backhand drop shot return winner.
The score was 6-0 in just 22 minutes, but Jabeur wasn’t getting complacent.
“When I won the first set I said to myself the match starts again because against Petra, you can win the first set 6-0, and then lose the second 6-0 after,” Jabeur said. “It’s always tricky to play her and I just tried to stay in the moment.”
Jabeur’s smile was back at 1-1, the No.6 seed delighted when a successful challenge to a lob called out restored a break point.
The pressure intensified for Kvitova, whereas a relaxed Jabeur even managed to connect with a football volley between points on the baseline.
It was exhibition mode again for Jabeur, who narrowly missed with an audacious pass just before two blazing forehands sent her 4-1 up.
The No.9 seed rallied and posted two straight games, but Jabeur avoided any late trouble to cue up a warm embrace at the net following match point.
Combining exhibition mode and business mode, the re-match with Rybakina is going to be some ride.
“I don’t know who played today” Jabeur joked. “It’s amazing. I love how Petra plays, I respect a lot what Petra has done for women’s tennis and to be able to win against her today is huge for me. I played really well today, so hopefully I can repeat that in the next match.”
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