Two of the pre-tournament favourites for the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon 2023 collide at the semifinal stage as Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka do battle for a spot in the final.
The Tunisian star is looking to become the first Arabic and the first African female champion at SW19, after she lost in the final last year to Elena Rybakina. Having avenged that defeat in this year’s quarterfinal, Jabeur will be buoyed by the mass of support she’s received from the London crowds so far at this tournament.
Sabalenka will be hoping to continue her own stunning form in 2023 and will be eager to top that off with her first Wimbledon final appearance. The Belarusian world No. 2 has reached the semifinal stage of each of the three gram slam tournaments this season, becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to complete that feat.
With the Australian Open title under her belt already this year, she’ll also be looking to add the famous Venus Rosewater Dish to her growing collection.
The Sporting News is on hand to keep you up to date with all the action on Centre Court during this match.
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Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka score
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ons Jabeur (6) | 4 | |
| Aryna Sabalenka (2) | 4 |
*Brackets denote seeding
Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka highlights from Wimbledon 2023
*Denotes server
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.