The Tunisian Ons Jabeur, no. 6 in the world rankings, was eliminated in the first round of the French Open by Poland’s Magda Linette (52nd) in three sets on Sunday.
Polish Magda Linette (52nd) won 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) and 7-5, in just two and a half hours on Sunday.
Ons Jabeur was one of the favorites for the French Open after a fruitful spring, on the strength of a title in Madrid, a final in Rome, his best ranking in the WTA, and the athlete with the most success on clay (17 for in 3 defeats) this season.
In Philippe-Chatrier’s field, Jabeur had a quiet first set first, after a quick break, but hung his opponent in the second set. The Tunisian, on the other hand, gradually lost the thread, and his calm, during the meeting.
As the fight went on, he seemed to be in a hurry and the ball was removed.
Jabeur lost the final five points of the game, including one with a spike that stayed on his side of the net, as he led 40-0.
I played so many tough games against the Ons that I didn’t know what to expect. I had to focus and fight at every point to destabilize himexplains Linette, treated to one foot after the first run.
The Tunisian athlete has not lost in the first round of a grand slam tournament in nearly three years (Wimbledon 2019).
In Madrid in early May, Ons Jabeur became the first Arab player to win a WTA 1000 tournament, the equivalent of the Masters 1000 tournaments on the ATP circuit, the highest category after grand slam tournaments.
In Rome the following week, he also made it to the final, where only world No. 1 Iga Swiatek was able to stop him.
Source: Radio-Canada
