Tunisian Ons Jabeur loses Wimbledon final against Rybakina

Please share this story:

Russian-born Elena Rybakina came from within a set against Ons Jabeur to claim the Wimbledon title on Saturday, robbing the Tunisian world number two of a chance to make African tennis history.< /p>

Jabeur was in charge early in the game, but the 17th seed, representing Kazakhstan, regrouped and lost just four more games on the way to a 3-6, 6- win 2, 6-2.

“I have never felt anything like this before,” said the champion. “Congratulations to Ons for all you have accomplished.

"You are a source of inspiration for Tunisians and for everyone. You had a great game."

Jabeur, 27, started in style, breaking Rybakina in the third game of the game when the Kazakh played long with a backhand.

She followed that up with a love hold that included a delicious angled backhand pass past her opponent at the net.

Rybakina was again under intense pressure on her own serve as the set threatened to run away but she dug deep to hold 3-2.

But she failed to force a single break point on sunny center court in the first set and an error-ridden service game gave Jabeur the set.

As Jabeur celebrated with a punch, Rybakina returned to his chair contemplating 17 costly unforced errors.

But the momentum changed immediately at the start of the second set when Rybakina broke Jabeur before holding for a 2-0 lead.

Rybakina had now found his rhythm and Jabeur had to fight to stay in touch.

The 23-year-old Kazakh, who is 6ft (1.84m), then saved three break points before breaking again to take a 4-1 lead when Jabeur went wide with a forehand.

Rybakina leveled the game with an ace as Jabeur reflected on four missed break point chances in the set.

The 17th seed was the first to strike in the decider, escaping immediately to put pressure on Jabeur.

The Tunisian squandered three break points in game six as her frustration mounted and it turned out to be her last chance.

Rybakina showed some nerve serving for the set, but won with his first championship point when Jabeur played long with a backhand.

Rybakina, playing in her first Slam final, switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018.

Russian and Belarusian players are banned from Wimbledon this year following the invasion of Ukraine.

Rybakina had never made it past the quarter-finals of a Slam before Wimbledon this year.

Jabeur congratulated the winner saying, "I hope next time it will be for me."

"Thank you to my team for their support and trust in me," she said. "I love this tournament. I'm sad but it's tennis - there can only be one winner."

Please share this story: