Marketa Vondrousova and Ons Jabeur to battle it out for Wimbledon Women’s Singles title: 2023 Wimbledon Women’s SF Roundup
The 2023 Wimbledon Women’s semi-finals threw a couple of thrilling matches as Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vandrousova battled their way to a compelling Final showdown. Jabeur fought her way from a set down while Vandrousova bulldozed her opponent Elina Svitolina to set up a mouth-watering Final clash.
The first match-up saw sixth seed Jabeur, a Tunisian International, clash with second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who is renowned for her big-hitting. Sabalenka, the world number 2, was also the second seed in the tournament and was considered the favorite for the clash. However, the Tunisian delivered a resilient performance that saw her secure a hard-fought three-set victory.
Vondrousova on the other hand, defeated the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in straight sets to qualify for her first-ever Wimbledon final. The Czech Republic International is ranked 42nd in the world and has qualified for her first-ever Grand Slam Final. She will take on the 28-year-old Jabeur who will be playing in her second consecutive final at the All England Club. Here, we look at the detailed roundup of the two thrilling semi-final clashes.
Ons Jabeur vs Aryna Sabalenka
World Number 2 Aryna Sabalenka crashed out in the Wimbledon Semi-final
Ons Jabeur’s incredible journey at Wimbledon continues as she defied the odds to reach her second consecutive final. Despite facing a deficit and being on the brink of defeat, she fought back to register a remarkable 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Sabalenka, known for her powerful game, faced the challenge of Jabeur’s unpredictable and inventive shots. Jabeur’s ability to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm with well-placed flicks, delicate drops, and deceptive slices kept Sabalenka on her toes.
Sabalenka was the majority’s favorite for the match-up and was comfortable despite the close first set. However, the final two sets saw Jabeur produce some of the best tennis of her career.
The match unfolded as a captivating battle between an irresistible force and an immovable object, with Jabeur’s versatile style ultimately prevailing. After losing the first set, Jabeur unleashed a remarkable comeback in the second set and broke her opponent twice.
The third set saw Jabeur showcase her dominance from the start. She stormed to an early lead by winning the first three points. With three match points in her favor, victory seemed within her grasp.
However, Sabalenka demonstrated her resilience once again, saving the first match point and forcing Jabeur to dig deeper. It was at this moment that Jabeur displayed her unwavering focus and delivered a powerful ace, sealing her victory and securing her place in the Wimbledon final. The crowd erupted with joy as Jabeur celebrated a hard-fought triumph.
Marketa Vondrousova vs Elina Svitolina
Marketa Vondrousova registered a commanding victory over Elina Svitolina
For Marketa Vondrousova, this year’s Wimbledon has been a remarkable turnaround. A left-hander from the Czech Republic was the runner-up in the 2019 French Open. Her commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory see her advance to the Wimbledon final for the first time in her career. Vondrousova took an early lead, breaking Svitolina’s serve to secure a 3-2 advantage.
Although Vondrousova made some unforced errors and surrendered her own serve in the next game, she quickly regained control and won seven consecutive games, leaving Svitolina frustrated and exasperated.
In the second set, Vondrousova appeared to be on the verge of a whitewash victory, holding points to go up 5-0. However, Svitolina unleashed her fighting spirit, breaking Vondrousova’s serve twice to narrow the gap. Yet, Vondrousova remained composed and resilient, blocking out the cries of support for her opponent.
In the end, Vondrousova secured her place in the final when Svitolina hit a long service return on match point. The 6-3 6-3 victory represented a far different match-up compared to the first semifinal, where Ons Jabeur was forced to toil hard.
On the other hand, Elina Svitolina’s remarkable run at Wimbledon garnered attention, particularly in her home country of Ukraine. As the war in Ukraine dominated news bulletins for months, Svitolina’s success provided a respite and a source of motivation for fellow Ukrainians.
Despite her loss in the semi-final, she acknowledged the responsibility that came with representing her country. Her emotional press conferences reflected her determination to use the support of her people as motivation for future success.
With both semi-finals now wrapped up, Jabeur and Vondrousova will play out a historic final which will see multiple records being broken. Both players are eyeing what will be their first-ever grand slam title. The Final will take place on Centre Court at the All England Club on Saturday.