Tunisian star and crowd favourite Ons Jabeur produced a stunning comeback to beat world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 to reach her second successive Wimbledon final.
After losing the opening set of this thrilling ladies' singles semifinal, Jabeur roared back to continue her pursuit of becoming both the first African and the first Arabic woman to win the title at SW19.
For much of the match, Belarusian big-hitter Sabalenka looked to be the clear favourite to progress. After a tense opening set that saw both players win all of their service games, the Australian Open champion turned around a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreak to assume authority of the clash.
Not to be outdone by her in-form opponent, Jabeur rallied to break Sabalenka late on in the second set before she levelled up the match soon afterwards with a big hold of serve.
The third set also proved a tight affair as both players traded aces and important winners in a bid for glory.
But it was the number six seed who eventually prevailed, again breaking her opponent in the final set to give herself a 4-2 advantage after a lengthy deuce battle.
She then saw out her fifth match point with an ace to return to the final, where she lost to Elena Rybakina in 2022.
In Saturday's finale, she'll face 24-year-old Czech Marketa Vondrousova who beat Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in straight sets earlier in the day to reach her second major final.
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Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka result
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ons Jabeur (6) | 6 (5) | 6 | 6 |
| Aryna Sabalenka (2) | 6 (7) | 4 | 3 |
*Brackets denote seeding
Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka highlights from Wimbledon 2023
*Denotes server
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 Aryna Sabalenka — Jabeur heads to the Wimbledon final
Here we go then, Jabeur is up to serve for the win in this bruising semifinal.
She takes the first point on offer before then quickly taking the next as Sabalenka hits wide.
Another hit into the net from the Belarusian and it's three match points for the Tunisian star.
The first is a missed chance as Sabalenka's shot luckily hits the net and creeps over before Jabeur then smashes a backhand wide.
The pressure is on but Jabeur steps up, delivers an ace and she's going back to the Wimbledon final!!!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 5-3* Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka just about holds on to take this semifinal into at least another game.
Jabeur twice hits great returns to make it 30-30 before then having her first match point as Sabalenka wrongly challenges a judgement call.
Not to worry though as she smashes home an ace in normal fashion but wait, she then double faults and it's a second match point for Jabeur. The nerves are going now for the Belarusian big hitter but she twice fights off Jabeur's advances to win this crucial service game.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 *5-2 Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur solidifies that break by winning her next service game courtesy of a fantastic final winner down the line past a helpless Sabalenka.
She's now won nine of the last 11 games in this semifinal as she closes in on a second consecutive Wimbledon final.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 4-2* Aryna Sabalenka
Compared to the start of this match, Jabeur has really figured out how best to work against Sabalenka's break.
She returns twice and twice the world No. 2 goes long in response to give her a 30-0 lead against the serve. Not to worry however as Sabalenka quickly brings the game level before going on to win the next point.
As quickly as that though, it's another unforced error from the Belarusian and deuce follows.
It's a forehand into the net and it's break point Jabeur. What a chance this is for the world No. 6 but it's not to be as Sabalenka wins the crucial point following a lengthy rally that went from side to side on Centre Court.
Again though, it's wide from Sabalenka and it's another break point for Jabeur. The Minsk native fights it off with a massive forehand winner before she gives up yet another break point.
This time it's taken and Jabeur breaks the Sabalenka serve. That could be absolutely huge moment in this semifinal!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 *3-2 Aryna Sabalenka
Despite the scoreline reflecting how even this semifinal match is at present, it's definitely Jabeur who is in the ascendency right now after winning that second set.
She goes 40-0 up but hold on a minute, here comes Sabalenka. Two big winners are struck by the Belarusian as she piles the pressure on but if there's any pressure, you wouldn't know it as she sees out the game quickly afterwards.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 2-2* Aryna Sabalenka
The fourth game of this final set opens up with an opportunity for Jabeur but she almost has too much time to think about her shot and she smashes a forehand miles wide.
Sabalenka then hits into the net with an unforced error but makes amends by smashing an ace down the centre of the court.
30-30 and the pressure builds as the Belarusian has to resort to her second serve but Jabeur returns into the net when she should have done much better. The world No. 6 hits long just after and it's another hold of serve.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 *2-1 Aryna Sabalenka
There's not too much drama to talk about in this third set at present as both participants easily see out their service matches so far.
This time it's Jabeur's turn to win the latest game to love as she responds in emphatic fashion.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 1-1* Aryna Sabalenka
Not to be outdone by her opponent in the third set, Sabalenka opens up her account with a hold to love.
That was a sign of intent from the world No.2 as he crushes home an ace to take it.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4 *1-0 Aryna Sabalenka
It's Jabeur to serve first in the third and final set here in this semifinal on Centre Court.
Despite losing the opening point of the game, she then produces a winner and an ace to make it 40-15. Sabalenka then hits long and Jabeur leads properly for the first time in this contest.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 6-4* Aryna Sabalenka - Jabeur wins the second set!!!
Despite returning an absolute beauty, Jabeur finds herself 15-30 down before the game is quickly evened up at 30-30 as Sabalenka drives into the net from the base line.
It's then a big miss from the Belarusian and there's a break point on the table for Jabeur.
Can the Tunisian favourite take her chance? Of course she can! Sabalenka misses her first serve and her second is ruthlessly punished. Game on!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) *5-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Blink and you'll miss it as Sabalenka races into a 30-0 lead against the serve. Jabeur responds again and gets a very fortunate bounce off of the net to half the deficit much to the crowd's disbelief.
The world No. 2 then returns long but Jabeur miscues a volley at the net soon after and it's a break point straight back for Sabalenka. Again, she hits long though and it's deuce again in this titanic tussle.
Not to worry Jabeur fans though as she puts together two quick points to survive the scare on her serve.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 4-4* Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka smashes home another ace to open up this latest game but Jabeur pegs her back at 15-15 soon afterwards.
The world No. 6 then gets after the serve and produces a substantial rally only to hit straight into the net to give Sabalenka the advantage. That's disappointing but she wins the next point to make amends with a tidy forehand.
We then witness the rally of the match as both players showcase great movement before the Belarusian slides a winner down the line whilst closing in on the net.
Jabeur again responds to force deuce and very nearly gets a break point but her forehand on the charge just clips the net. Advantage Sabalenka but it's not taken as she produces a rare unforced error in this set.
Advantage Jabeur soon after and it's taken as Sabalenka pummels a forehand into the net. That could be absolutely vital!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) *3-4 Aryna Sabalenka
It's been a great display from Sabalenka but there's a really obvious weakness in her game today and that's with dealing with Jabeur's second serve. She really can't work it out and it's costing her potentially easy points.
It leaves Jabeur 30-15 up after a couple of close net rallies before she then wins the next point. She comfortably sees out the game as Sabalenka returns long.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 2-4* Aryna Sabalenka
It's more of the same for Sabalenka as she uses her powerful serve to great effect.
The Belarusian races out to a 30-0 lead before smashing an ace right down the middle line at 118 miles per hour. Jabeur doesn't even move.
The Tunisian star tries to attack a second serve soon after but smashes her return wide.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) *2-3 Aryna Sabalenka
For the first time in this contest, Jabeur finds herself 0-30 down on her own serve and that quickly becomes 0-40 with another error.
She then cruelly double faults at the worst possible time as her nerves begin to show and Sabalenka grabs the first break of this entire match after winning the first set via tiebreak.
That could be a huge moment in this semifinal!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 2-2* Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur is so close yet so far away at the minute. She finds herself 0-15 down before she rifles a big backhand into the net that would have won her the point if it cleared.
She then attacks Sabalenka's second serve twice to great effect to even it up at 30-30 and maybe, just maybe she has a chance here.
Not quite. Again, she smashes a forehand into the net which she should do better with arguably before her opponent plays a stupidly good drop shot to take the game.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) *2-1 Aryna Sabalenka
What a response again from Jabeur who wins her next service game to love. That was a great showcase of just how good her serve can be when it's at its very best.
Sabalenka didn't even get close to producing an opportunity in that last game.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) 1-1* Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka responds by winning her first service game of the second set in assured fashion.
It's not without a bit of concern as Jabeur absolutely hammers home a return of serve halfway through but the world No. 2 showcases all the shots at her disposal to take the second game.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) *1-0 Aryna Sabalenka
Despite losing the opening set of this semifinal, Jabeur hasn't let her head drop and she begins this second set on serve.
She finds herself 0-15 down but she rallies quickly to take a 40-15. A double fault soon follows but the Tunisian wins the next point to take the first game of this second set.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (5-7) Aryna Sabalenka - Sabalenka wins the first set
Another loose Jabeur shot hits the net and its two set points for Sabalenka. The first is fought off with authority but Jabeur returns long and the first set goes to the Belarusian!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (4-5) Aryna Sabalenka - TIE BREAK
This tiebreak isn't over yet though as a Jabeur error see's her lose a point on serve to her opponent. Sabalenka then responds with an ace to even up proceedings before Jabeur hits long to lose three consecutive points in succession.
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (4-2) Aryna Sabalenka - TIE BREAK
It's a disaster for Sabalenka as at the worst possible time she double faults and gives Jabeur the advantage. She duly takes her chance by hitting a simply perfect winner down the line with her forehand. That was a beauty!
Ons Jabeur 6-6 (2-2) Aryna Sabalenka - TIE BREAK
Sabalenka begins with an ace in typical fashion before Jabeur serves up her own in response. The Tunisian star then finds a sliding second serve which is returned right into the net as she takes the advantage. Sabalenka wins the next with a big forehand and we're even for now.
Ons Jabeur *6-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur is winning 85% of her first serve points so far in this match, a figure that's above her championship average overall which will give her plenty of confidence.
Her shot selection overall isn't half bad either is it? She wins a sliced forehand deep before smashing home a strong, darting forehand to win the game. Tie break here we come.
Ons Jabeur 5-6* Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur is putting the Sabalenka serve under serious pressure but the Belarusian again escapes just about.
It feels like it's a case of all or nothing for the world No. 2's serve, its either aces or its miles off in terms of the first serve. Either way, it's a tie break opportunity at minimum for Sabalenka after that latest hold.
Ons Jabeur *5-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Tie break incoming? It seems that way as Jabeur defends her serve with absolute ease.
She didn't drop a point there and is so far winning the serving war which perhaps wasn't what many were predicting.
Ons Jabeur 4-5* Aryna Sabalenka
It's absolute authority from Sabalenka who smashes an ace and hits home a big forehand to race into a 30-0 lead. A double fault follows which is far from ideal before she hits a big looping forehand long as Jabeur evens up at 30-30.
The Belarusian then smacks another ace but fails to clear the net on her next shot and its deuce.
After some back and forth she finally escapes with the game as this set remains on serve.
Ons Jabeur *4-4 Aryna Sabalenka
We're beginning to rattle quickly through these matches now as Jabeur holds by virtue of losing just one point in the latest mini bout.
This looks destined for a tiebreak at this rate with both players struggling to break one another down.
Ons Jabeur 3-4* Aryna Sabalenka
That's more like it from Sabalenka as she gets through his next service game without even dropping a point. That's very tidy work from the world No. 2 and might send a little doubt into Jabeur's head.
Ons Jabeur *3-3 Aryna Sabalenka
We're not far into the match and Sabalenka is already down to her last challenge after blowing her first two in quick succession.
Despite the difference in height and power between these two players, it's Jabeur who's making easier work of her service games so far as she holds again.
Ons Jabeur 2-3* Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur slices a low bullet over the net which forces Sabalenka into a tough shot that is subsequently returned with a winner by the Tunisian to make it 30-15 in her favour.
She then forces another error and it's two break points for last year's finalist. The world No. 2 fights off the pair with some lovely shot selection however and deuce follows. Sabalenka smashes home an ace but Jabeur responds to hit a winner of her own in style.
We then go back and fourth for a while before Sabalenka finally holds to take the fifth game of this match.
Ons Jabeur *2-2 Aryna Sabalenka
That's a much better service game from Jabeur who comes through it with relative ease.
She did hit her first double fault - and 12th of the tournament - but she wins it with a lovely, looping second serve which bounced right on the line.
Ons Jabeur 1-2* Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur opens up this latest game by winning the opening point, giving Sabalenka the eyes before hitting a smart winner down the line.
The world No. 2 responds well to go 30-15 up but her opponent again hits a nice winner to level the game up. The next attempt is long from Sabalenka and Jabeur has her first break point. It's fought off well by Sabalenka who hurries Jabeur out of position and takes advantage to force deuce.
The pair go back and forth before Sabalenka finally wins the decisive point.
Ons Jabeur *1-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur also comes through her first service game of this heavyweight clash though it's not without its hassle.
At first it's going well for the Tunisian star but before you know it, Sabalenka has a break point. The Belarusian hits her first break opportunity long before sending two returns into the net to give Jabeur her first game of the match.
Ons Jabeur 0-1* Aryna Sabalenka
So it's Sabalenka that serves first in this second Ladies' semifinal of the afternoon and she sees it out with plenty of confidence.
Jabeur didn't even get a return in play to kick things off here on Centre Court.
3:15 p.m. BST/ 10:15 a.m. ET: Jabeur and Sabalenka are lined up in the tunnel as they wait to come out onto Centre Court for their highly-anticipated semifinal clash.
Stay tuned because this could prove to be a very special match as two of the tournament favourites do battle!
3:00 p.m. BST/ 10:00 a.m. ET: The first semifinal is over, so we now know that Market Vondrousova awaits in the final. Jabeur and Sabalenka are due out on Centre Court in the next 20 minutes or so.
2:45 p.m. BST/ 9.45 a.m. ET: The winner of this match will face either Elina Svitlina or Marketa Vondrousova in Saturday's final. You can follow the latest updates from that contest right here. The second semifinal will follow on Centre Court once that match is concluded.
2:30 p.m. BST/ 9.30 a.m. ET: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' coverage of Ons Jabeur versus Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2023.
The Belarusian world No. 2 and Australian Open champion will be the slight favourite heading into this contest, but Jabeur has been in fine form so far this tournament and beat world No. 3 Elena Rybakina in three sets yesterday to reach this heavyweight clash.
How to watch Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon 2023 in Australia
The 2023 edition of Wimbledon is being broadcast live and free by Nine. The action is being shown on either Channel 9 or their secondary channel 9Gem, depending on the session and time.
Every match of Wimbledon 2023 can be live-streamed in Australia on paid subscription service Stan Sport. Selected matches are available in 4K.
Fans can also stream the action for free via 9Now, which shows the standard free-to-air broadcast.
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How to watch Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon 2023 in USA
Wimbledon matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks in the United States. There are several ways to live stream the tournament: ESPN+, the ESPN app, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to watch Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon 2023 in the UK
Wimbledon remains available to watch on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom. Live matches will air on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button. Viewers can also choose up to 18 courts to watch through their smart TVs and also on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Wimbledon is also shown on Eurosport to UK viewers. Eurosport will broadcast the Championships every day on Eurosport 1 daily and then via highlights. Coverage will be available on the Discovery + streaming platform and on Eurosport online, too.