Ons Jabeur is aiming to be the first African woman, as well as the first Arab, to win a grand slam title in the Open era. Elena Rybakina wants to be the first Kazakh to win a singles major.
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur returns to Germany's Tatjana Maria in a women's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon tennis championships.When Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina meet in the Wimbledon final, it will be the fifth edition running that a first-time women's champion will go through the wood-panelled revolving-doors of the All England Club.
Third seed Jabeur, Tunisia's so-called "Minister of Happiness", will be out to lift the spirits of an entire continent as she targets becoming the first African woman, as well as the first Arab, to win a grand slam title in the Open era."A lot of times I imagined myself giving a good speech, holding the trophy, seeing the trophy," said the world No.2 on the eve of a showdown that will feature two first-time grand slam finalists for the first time since 1962.
The big-hitter has struck 144 winners, including 49 aces, while flattening six opponents, including grand slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Simona Halep.