Ons Jabeur fends off Tamara Zidansek challenge to advance to round two of Australian Open 2023
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ByEurosport
Updated 17/01/2023 at 12:04 GMT
Second seed Ons Jabeur is into round two of the Australian Open but was initially made to work hard by Slovenian Tamara Zidansek. The Tunisian needed three sets to advance after a tie-break in the first and losing the second. The third, however, was a procession to see her through. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk
Jabeur reels off three games in a row to take a lead in the first set
Ons Jabeur survived a scare to overcome Tamara Zidansek and advance to the second round of the Australian Open.
The second seed was pushed all the way in the first set by the Slovenian and lost the second.
However, the Tunisian who reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open last year, dominated the decider to seal her place in round two.
It was a shaky start from Jabeur, with Zidansek breaking in the first game to let the world No. 2 know that she would not be given an easy ride if she wanted to secure a place in round two.
However, after putting those early unforced errors behind her, the Tunisian upped her intensity and raced into a 4-1 lead to take control of the first set.
Zidansek fought back, though, and capitalising on sloppy play from her opponent, the Slovenian was soon back in the match having set up a break-point, which ended with Jabeur volleying into the net.
Both players proceeded to hold serve, taking the first set to a tie-break, which would provide much drama on Rod Laver Arena.
Nerves were held on both sides of the net in the early stages, until Jabeur sent a forehand long at 4-4, before finding the net on the next point to hand Zidansek two set points, but she was unable to convert them.
Each player missed a further opportunity to take the set before, with her second chance in the tie-break, Jabeur watched a Zidansek shot fly long and, with a sigh of relief, the Tunisian moved ahead in the match.
Jabeur knew she was in a battle, and was visibly frustrated with her performance heading into the second set.
After a tight opening to the set, Zidansek was the first to break, giving herself the chance to serve herself level having taken a 5-3 lead.
However, despite earning herself a set point, Zidansek was unable to take it with her attempted forehand drop shot falling short and hitting the net.
The Slovenian did not let her disappointment get to her, though, and took the first two points of Jabeur’s next service game. A stunning ace pulled a point back for Jabeur but her inconsistency struck once more, as a wild forehand went long to give Zidansek two set points.
She converted at the first time of asking to take the match to a deciding set.
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'Oh my goodness!' - Jabeur throws her racquet in a 'tantrum'
Zidansek took a comfort break in-between sets, leaving Jabeur sitting courtside contemplating a tough day’s work.
It got no easier as the third set got underway, with Zidansek holding serve. Jabeur missed a break point opportunity, though, and threw her racquet to the ground, with the Eurosport commentary team describing it like a “junior tantrum”.
With a steely, glazed look on her face, Jabeur managed to regain some composure to serve to love, before proceeding to break Zidansek.
Jabeur had seemingly rediscovered her focus, while Zidansek’s momentum suffered, and the Tunisian streaked into a 4-1 lead, breaking her opponent to love.
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'It's tough when you're not playing your best' - Jabeur tells Eurosport about opening match
After reeling off five games in a row, Jabeur was looking for a third successive break to complete victory.
Zidansek had such an impressive start to the match, but as Jabeur carved out three match points, the Eurosport commentators commented how the world No.98 had “just fallen apart”.
Jabeur needed just one of those match points to complete her resurrection and book her place in the second round.
Speaking on court after the match, Jabeur admitted it was a mental battle, saying, “I was pretty frustrated but I’m glad that I let it out.
“I just told myself to be number two in the world and just win this match.”
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'She showed her class' - Henman and Wilander on Jabeur after her opening victory
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