'Make Her Move': How Jabeur Exploited Bouzkova's Leg Injury At US Open
WTA
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur is not only a shotmaking artist, but a problem solver after her latest escape over a seemingly injured opponent.
Jabeur and Marie Bouzkova put on a show under the lights inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2023 US Open. It was a helter-skelter of a match, between two players who certainly exhibited health concerns throughout. Jabeur is still experiencing respiratory issues while Bouzkova was playing with a leg injury.
The Czech player picked up the issue in the second set and needed off-court medical treatment. But she came energized and was applauded for her stoicism and perseverance despite a look of grimace on her face. After a dogged performance from Bouzkova, it became a case of whether her opponent could take advantage of the situation.
On the opposite side of the net, Jabeur saw her opponent in distress and unleashed her drop shot constantly to try and test Bouzkova's mobility. But the adrenaline rush kicked on the 31st seed's legs, breaking back for 5-5 and then forcing a tiebreak where she led 4-2 with a minibreak.
Jabeur, however, clawed her way into the contest, sticking to her weapon of using the drop shot at every opportunity before storming back to win 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and 50 minutes. After the match, the Tunisian was empathetic towards Bouzkova but admitted there was a match to win.
"Actually started a little bit at the end of the second set I tried to make more of the point, hit a little bit harder and you know play my game. I honestly saw her struggling a little bit with her leg. So I tried to make her move as much as I can. I know that's not nice (laughing), but I was trying to win the match."
"At certain times, I was like is she like really injured? I wasn't sure she was making all my drop shots. I was like, am either making a bad drop shot or the opposite. I am not sure (smiling)."
