You can’t win a grand-slam title in the first week but you can definitely lose it and for a while out on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, it seemed like Ons Jabeur was about to find that out for herself. But when the Tunisian needed inspiration, she reminded herself of one thing: “I told myself to be the No 2 in the world and just win this match,” she said, with a smile.
The No 2 seed’s 7-6 (8), 4-6, 6-1 win over Tamara Zidansek was as tight as the scoreline sounds. She saved three set points in the opening-set tie-break and after dropping the second, it was only once she had got the break for 2-1 in the decider that the world No 2 found her usual rhythm, pulling away for victory over a tenacious opponent.
The runner-up at both Wimbledon and the US Open last year, Jabeur sported some worrying-looking strapping around her right knee and though it did not seem to effect her movement, the tenacity of Zidansek certainly did. The Slovenian may be ranked 98 in the world but she was good enough to reach the semi-finals at the French Open two years ago and had beaten Jabeur in their most recent battle, in 2019.
A lot has changed in the few years since, though. Jabeur has transformed herself from a player with abundant talent but prone to inconsistency into a regular contender for the biggest titles. Only Elena Rybakina, playing inspired tennis at Wimbledon, and the world No 1, Iga Swiatek, doing likewise at the US Open, prevented her from winning a first slam title last year. If she is to win this, she will need to improve but the good thing is she got the job done, which gives her time to find her form.
With the roof on as the intense heat of the day was replaced by heavy downpours, Jabeur dropped serve in the opening game. She broke back after a long second game and despite not playing her best, she still managed to forge a 4-1 lead. It always looked fragile, though, and Zidansek hit back to level at 4-4. The Slovenian led 6-4 in the tie-break but Jabeur saved both set points, the second with a beautiful drop shot, backhand volley combination. She needed a forehand winner to save a third set point at 7-8 before going on to snatch the set.
Zidansek was not going away though and she broke in the eighth game of the second as she forced a deciding set. But Jabeur found her game in time, breaking for 2-1 and twice more to put a bit of gloss on the score. “It was a very tough match,” Jabeur said. “I wasn’t playing very well and she was putting me under a lot of pressure. I was getting frustrated but I’m glad I let it out in the second set. It’s a tough sport, you don’t want to go three sets, but I’m glad I won.”
Aryna Sabalenka began the season in style with victory in Adelaide and the big-hitting Belarusian is maintaining her momentum. The No 5 seed seems to have sorted out the serving problems that ruined her hopes of a first slam title last year and she looked strong as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic. “I have to work on my mindset and stay calm and not get too upset when I make mistakes,” she said. “I really believe this is the only thing missing in my game.”
The fourth seed, Caroline Garcia, who won the season-ending WTA Finals last year, was equally impressive as she beat Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov 6-3, 6-0 but Garbiñe Muguruza, a two-time slam champion, is out, beaten 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 by Elise Mertens, the No 26 seed. Spaniard Muguruza has now lost her past five matches, a far cry from 2020, when she reached the final.