By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, June 3, 2023
Ons Jabeur had her hands full against a tough opponent before finally prevailing in a tough three set battle to reach the fourth round of Roland Garros.
The No. 7 seed Jabeur came back from a set down to defeat Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the last sixteen in Paris.
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Roland Garros remains the only major where Jabeur has yet to reach the quarterfinals. Yet being a fan favorite in Paris inspires Jabeur to keep the dream alive for making a deep run this year.
“I’m gonna give it 100%. We learn from the other fourth rounds that I lost here. Obviously have much more experience than the other times. Let the dream continue. You know, it's Roland Garros. I like to say it in French accent , is very close to my heart, and a Grand Slam that I always dreamed of winning with the big girls,” Jabeur said after the match.
After losing the first set, Jabeur found herself up a service break in the second set at 3-2. Yet Jabeur had to face four break points in the longest game of the set before finally holding serve.
A few games later, Jabeur managed to serve out the set, clinched by a big forehand winner.
Danilovic, in the final set, began missing more frequently on her shots. That allowed Jabeur to open up an early 4-1 double break lead. Danilovic managed to get one of the breaks back in the next game. But then, Danilovic slipped on the court and appeared to injure her ankle.
The Serbian dropped serve later to go down 2-5, and later called for a medical time out to get her ankle taped.
Jabeur soon closed out the three set win to the delight of the Paris crowd.
Next up for Jabeur is American Bernarda Pera who is into the fourth round of a major for the first time in her career. Jabeur, who lost to Pera, in their only other meeting back in 2019 Guangzhou is ready for another tough match.
“Match by match for sure. And another lefty, so it's gonna be a tricky one. Pera has been playing very well. She's a tough opponent. We played before. I think I lost in China. I'm not sure if I played before or not, but will learn from it. It's a different match. It's the fourth round of a Grand Slam, so I'm gonna do my best and improve my game for sure for the next match.”