Rybakina Survives Another Three-Setter As She Overcomes Jabeur In Abu Dhabi
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Elena Rybakina survived another three-setter at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open. This time, she beat Ons Jabeur.
The two players met in what was considered a blockbuster quarter-final at the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi. Jabeur has struggled with injuries in recent months, which is why she isn't ranked as high as she once used to. That made this exciting meeting possible already in the quarter-finals.
Only three years ago, these two players met in the Wimbledon Championships final. This was their sixth meeting, and Rybakina won only twice before, with one of her wins coming in that Wimbledon final.
Ahead of this match, Jabeur seemed to be the player in better form. She has already played two matches in Abu Dhabi before the quarter-final, winning both in straight sets. On the other hand, Rybakina played only one match and needed three sets to win it.
But despite her struggles in the previous match, the Kazakhstani player dominated early in this quarter-final. She broke first and saved a break point in the following game to lead 3-0.
She then translated that early dominance into some more pressure on her opponent's serve. When Jabeur served down 2-5, she lost a 40-15 lead, and with four points won in a row, Rybakina won the first set of the match 6-2.
That was a very quick first set and certainly not something fans in Abu Dhabi wanted to see. But Jabeur gave them a few reasons to cheer in the second set of this match.
The Tunisian player used her opponent's recipe for success from the first set. She broke and saved a break point in the next game to lead 2-0. Like Rybakina in the first set, Jabeur also extended the lead with another break.
At one point, the Tunisian player led already 5-1 and 30-0. However, she then lost eight consecutive points, and suddenly, the scoreboard showed "only" 5-4 for Jabeur, who had to serve out the second set if she wanted to avoid any more trouble. She managed to do that, winning the second set 6-4 and forcing a decider.
The third set was the most dramatic in this match. Jabeur had the first break point, but she couldn't use it. She then lost her serve, and down 2-4, the Tunisian looked to be in trouble.
But Rybakina also lost her serve, and at 4-4, it was a sprint to the finish line. Belinda Bencic already awaited the winner of this match in the semi-finals, likely watching as her two opponents battled it out on the court.
Neither managed to break in the following games, so the score was tied again at 5-5. Rybakina then held her serve, but Jabeur had to face two match points. However, she saved both of them and at 6-6, a tie-break decided the match.
Jabeur got off to a good start in the tie-break, leading 4-2, but from that point, she couldn't win another point. Rybakina won the match 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4), once again surviving in three sets.
