It’s an epic story that Ons Jabeur is writing at The Championships. In 2021, the Tunisian became the first Arab player to contest a Wimbledon quarter-final and last year, at the All England Club, the first to play in a Grand Slam singles final.

And now, after victory over No.3 seed Elena Rybakina in an intriguing quarter-final, the trailblazing Tunisian has a chance to add her happiest chapter yet.

In a rematch of their three-set Wimbledon final last year, a steely Jabeur flipped the script on the defending champion, claiming a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1 victory in one hour and 53 minutes. 

“I'm very happy with the performance,” the No.6 seed said, delighted with how she managed both Rybakina’s big game - and her own emotions - in the high stakes match.

“I’m glad I did everything – shouted, got angry, then got calm and focused and hopefully I can keep managing my emotions like this for the next few matches,” she said.

Jabeur began her fifth meeting with Rybakina – and their first since that memorable 2022 final – having dropped just one set at Wimbledon. Having survived that setback in the third round against Bianca Andreescu, the 28-year-old was imperious in her next match against Petra Kvitova, limiting the two-time champion to three games.

A meeting with the ice cool Rybakina promised to be a far tighter contest, with the big-server from Kazakhstan capable of producing sudden plot twists. The first came when she broke Jabeur’s serve to love in the fourth game on Centre Court.

The Tunisian responded with her usual creativity, a seemingly impossible drop shot helping to create a break point opportunity that she duly converted in the next game. It ended a run of 32 service holds for the No.3 seed.

From being broken to love, Jabeur dropped only one point in her next three service games. Testing Rybakina’s big serve, she gained another break in the 11th game but, as she served for the set, failed to convert a set point. Jabeur defended three set points in the tie-break, before Rybakina clinched it 7-5.

With emotions running high, Jabeur resettled in the second set and her confidence grew as she saved three break points in the fifth game. It was Rybakina who eventually faltered in the 10th game as an increasingly assertive Jabeur took control of the match.

Having secured the second set in 38 minutes, the No.6 seed eventually won five straight games and enthusiastic crowd members roared their approval when she claimed a double-break of serve for a 5-1 lead.

After surrendering a lead to Rybakina in the 2022 final, there was no stopping Jabeur on this occasion and she secured victory on her first match point.

“I just kept going and said, 'I'm going for my shots', because if you try to play easy with her, it's not going to work,” said Jabeur on sticking to the plan she had established pre-match. “So I tried to hit every shot and show that I'm here on the court.”

Jabeur’s next challenge is Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, the No.2 seed having beaten Madison Keys in straight sets. “She's an amazing player. Hits very fast, like Elina, so it's going to be very challenging,” Jabeur said. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 3-1.

As Jabeur plots more of the creative tennis that has made her such a popular performer at Wimbledon, there seems certain to be another fascinating chapter to add to her story.

“I think I'm going to end up writing a book about my emotions, because this is so unbelievable,” she laughed.

“I always spoke of the connection between me and the crowd. I believe the crowd gives me the great energy. Thank God they're not against me. Or maybe if they are, it could be a good thing that I can turn the energy into a good one.”

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