Jabeur eyes history at third Grand Slam final

Ons Jabeur during her semi-final win over Aryna Sabalenka in London on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images; (right) Marketa Vondrousova

Ons Jabeur hopes it will be third time lucky when she attempts to become the first African or Arab woman to win a Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Tunisian takes on Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, hoping to go one better than last year when she was defeated by Elena Rybakina in the final at the All England Club and lost to world number one Iga Swiatek at the US Open later in the year.

Unlike her two final losses at the majors, this time world number six Jabeur will start as the favourite against the left-handed Vondrousova, the first unseeded woman in the Wimbledon final in 60 years.

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But she said she could not afford to take her eye off the ball on Saturday, even though she is taking on a player far lower down the rankings at 42 in the world. "I think a final is a final," Jabeur said.

"You're playing someone, Grand Slam champion or not. I think it's going to be very difficult. It can happen for both. Whoever could handle more the emotions, whoever could be more ready on the court, will definitely win that match.

"I want to make my path worth it, winning against all these Grand Slam champions to be in the final. Yeah, I'm going full in, and hopefully this time it will work."
Jabeur has form on her side for Saturday, with a tour-best 28 wins on grass since 2021, matching the run of former champion Maria Sharapova between 2004 and 2006.

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