Jabeur makes more history with win over Tomljanovic to reach semi-finals at US Open

Jabeur is the first Arab or African woman to reach the semis at the US Open in the open era

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

September 6, 2022

Tunisian Ons Jabeur ended the brilliant run of Ajla Tomljanovic as she claimed a 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over the Australian on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.

The No 5 seed, the runner-up at Wimbledon earlier this summer, came from 5-3 down to secure a victory which sets up a semi-final clash against either American Coco Gauff or Caroline Garcia.

.@Ons_Jabeur earns her semifinal spot in straight sets!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Z3rPMrHZFw
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2022

The win means Jabeur is the first Arab or African woman to reach the semi-finals at the US Open in the Open era. She also rises to No 2 in the WTA Race, the calendar-year standings.

“I knew physically it was going to be tough and emotionally it was hard, trying to finish and getting frustrated. Just trying to do my job and hopefully I inspire more generations from Africa. It means a lot to me.”

Tomljanovic had ended the challenge, and perhaps the career, of Serena Williams earlier in the tournament and she put up a real battle throughout.

Second-set fightback not enough for Tomljanovic

Jabeur took the first set thanks to two breaks to her opponent’s one but Tomljanovic broke for 5-3 in the second set, threatening to take it to a decider.

It was just a brief moment of hope, though, with Jabeur closing the door thanks to four straight games.

Jabeur has dropped just one set on her way to the last four.

Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open in New York — Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open in New York Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

She beat American Madison Brengle (7-5, 6-2), American wildcard Elizabeth Mandlik (7-5, 6-2), American Shelby Rogers, the No 31 seed (4-6, 6-4, 6-3) and Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the No 18 seed (7-6 (1), 6-4).

Tomljanovic, ranked No 46, defeated Czech Karolina Muchova (6-3, 7-6 (5)) and Russian Evgeniya Rodina (1-6, 6-2, 7-5) before her stunning win over 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams (7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1) and Russian Liudmila Samsonova (7-6 (8), 6-1).