MADRID, Spain – World №10 Ons Jaber doubled at Monday’s celebrations at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Tunisian pioneer found her form to win her first victory over Belinda Bencic, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to qualify for her first quarterfinal in Madrid. The victory came on Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan.
“These are two parties,” Jaber told reporters when asked about Eid’s victory. “Some people were telling me, ‘Come on, you have to win today,'” I tried my best.
The Jabeur team, made up of wife Karim Kamun and coach Isam Jalali, started the day by going to a mosque in Madrid to pray. Jaber said the day brings back memories of her childhood by eating sweets and enjoying the tradition of raising money from adults.
“It’s Id, so you have to give me money,” Jaber laughed. “You don’t have to, but you have to, you know?” I called my mother and said, where is my money? I may be 27, but who counts?
“For me, the fact that we are with our family, we go from house to house to say” Eid Mubarak “to all families, brings back great memories. Unfortunately, I’ve been on the road for years, so don’t have time to do it. “
“It creates a good memory and being able to win that day was special.”
Jaber’s victory over Bencic was her first over the Swiss in three games and avenged last month’s loss in the Charleston final. Even more pleasing to Jabeur was the fact that her scratch first victories in Madrid finally gave way to her top game.
“I want to continue this way,” Jaber said. “I’m really tired of the quarterfinals, so my goal is to go further and, I hope, why am I not in the finals here?”
Madrid: Jaber beats Bencic for the first time in three matches
2022 Madrid
This week, in addition to his regular team, Jabeur psychologist Melanie Mayar is in Madrid. When Jaber enjoyed an inspired run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals last summer, Mayard was also in her box. Along the way, she defeated Garbine Muguruza and Iga Svyatek.
“We usually talk on WhatsApp or chat online, but I don’t like the virtual world too much, so I try to bring her as much as I can, but she probably has other athletes,” Jaber said.
“I know I just need her from time to time. In fact, I don’t always need it, because one phone call can be easy and enough for me. I had the feeling that I should have it [here]. It’s not good to be surrounded by two guys all the time, so it’s good to have a woman on my team. “
After Swiatek’s No.1 retirement and a wave of frustration in the first week, Jabeur proved to be the highest-ranked player left in Madrid. But given the presence of players such as US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Bianca Andrescu and Victoria Azarenka, the idea that the tie has weakened is a fallacy.
Jaber knows this too well. She will then face former No.1 Simona Halep, who celebrated her 30th victory in the main draw in Madrid with another victory over Coco Gauff. The victory over Gauff came two days after a dominant performance to knock out No.2 Paula Badosa. The two-time champion has not lost a set this week.
“I’m going to get revenge because we played in Dubai and she played really well,” said Jaber. “It’s frustrating when someone takes control of me.
“I will go for the victory and I hope to be as enthusiastic as I am today. I like today’s attitude, so we will strive for the same attitude.”
Quick, win the Top 20 and make your first WTA 1000 quarterfinal on clay in one of your favorite cities? Jaber said he could celebrate with a nice steak dinner with his team, but not before rolling the dice for another wish: tickets to Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“I don’t have any tickets or anything like that, but I know a nice man named Rafael Nadal who has access,” Jaber said.
I’ll just put it there: Rafa, if you need a plus one or two or three – because my coach and my husband want to go – you can ask them to put us in at the same time and then we can go together to support Real Madrid against Man You are.
“They need me, come on. Hala Madrid!”
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