Posted in: 07/09/2022 – 08:07
Tunisian Anas Jaber became the first Arab woman to reach the semi-finals of the US Open, the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments, following her victory in the quarter-finals once morest Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. Ons Jaber will play in the semi-finals once morest French Caroline Garcia, who last month became the first female qualifier to win the title in Cincinnati.
booked Tunisian Anas Jaber The world number five won her place in the US Open semi-finals by defeating Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4 7-6 on Tuesday to become the first Arab woman to reach this role in the major tournament held on hard courts in New York.
Tomljanovic grabbed all the limelight following she knocked out American Serena Williams in front of a huge crowd on Friday, but she was unable to continue that performance in the quarter-finals following Ons fired three aces and hit 15 winners in the first set.
The Wimbledon runner-up is known as the “Minister of Happiness” in her country, but her joy disappeared in the second set, which was full of easy mistakes to knock out her racket several times.
Although she broke Tomljanovic in the first game of the second set, her grip began to loosen following her serve fell as the Australian seized the opportunity and grabbed three of her four break points.
“I think they will fire me from my job as Minister of Happiness,” Anas joked in an interview on the court. “Tennis is a difficult sport and I apologize to the fans for this behavior, but the racket kept slipping from my hand.”
Tomljanovic gave the Tunisian player a break following she committed a double fault in the ninth game and hit the ball into the net at the last point of the tiebreak, unleashing Ons for her joy.
“It was difficult to control the feelings of frustration because she continued to fight and made things very difficult for me,” said the Tunisian player.
Ons will play in the semi-finals once morest Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, who beat American Coco Gauff to continue her brilliance following becoming the first female qualifier to win the title last month in Cincinnati.
“I know that she plays fiercely and with a strong style,” said Anas. “So whoever will dominate the match will be in the best condition. I will try to apply my style, I will try to be me.”
FRANCE 24 / REUTERS
