US Open: Jabeur first one into third round

Ons Jabeur won against Elizabeth Mandlik 7-5, 6-2 on Wednesday and will face Shelby Rogers, the No 31 seed, in the next round

Ons Jabeur at the 2022 US Open (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Tennis Majors

August 31, 2022

Tunisian Ons Jabeur, the No 5 seed, advanced to the third round of the US Open by beating American wildcard Elizabeth Mandlik 7-5, 6-2 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Wednesday.

“I played, I mean, better on the second set”, smiled Jabeur after the match. “I’m just happy that I managed the conditions. Was kind of tough to deal with the humidity, but hopefully I will improve even better and play even better in the third rounds.”

Jabeur, ranked No 5, will play Shelby Rogers, the No 31 seed, next, after the American beat Slovak qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova.

The Tunisian has never passed the third round at the US Open, she observed before the tournament to highlight her motivation.

I’m No. 5 in the world, so for me I’m trying to represent that number
Ons Jabeur

“Shelby plays really well on hard courts. She’s a player that improved a lot, and, you know, it’s going to be a tough match, but the main goal for me is to impose my game, because I know I can bother her with the changing of the rhythm. It’s going to be tough playing her at the US Open as an American. But looking forward, you know, to give it all. Definitely learn from the other third rounds that I played here.”

“I have a mission. I’m No. 5 in the world, so for me I’m trying to represent that number as much as I can so I can really improve my game and I can really continue and improve my ranking, hopefully.”

Ahead of her victory, the Tunisian won against American Madison Brengle (7-5, 6-2). Mandlik, ranked No 144 and known as tennis legend Hana Mandlikova’s daughter, edged out Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4) in the previous round of Flushing Meadows.