Roger Federer sings the praises of Ons Jabeur as Tunisian star becomes the first player from North Africa to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals
- Ons Jabeur has received the backing of Roger Federer in her records quest
- The Tunisian is the first player from North Africa to reach the quarter-finals
- She revealed that Andy Roddick was her hero but Federer had said kind words
- The 26-year-old, the first Arab to win a WTA title, won 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 vs Iga Swiatek
Ons Jabeur has received the backing of Roger Federer in her quest to set records of her own in the women’s singles.
The Tunisian upset the seedings to become the first player from North Africa to reach the quarter-finals by beating former French Open winner and junior Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek.
The 26-year-old, the first Arab player to win a WTA title, won 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to the delight of some Court Two fans, who cheered her with Tunisian football chants.
Ons Jabeur has received the backing of Roger Federer after beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon
‘Andy Roddick is my idol,’ Jabeur said, ‘but I got congratulated by Roger after my match. That he took the time to say congrats gives me the hunger to win more.’
She now faces big-hitting second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who needed nearly two hours to defeat Elena Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
The Belarusian, known as the Tiger, revealed: ‘I was almost crying in the last game.’
‘Andy Roddick is my idol,’ Jabeur said, ‘but I got congratulated by Roger after my match’
Tennis icon Federer still keenly watches matches going on around him at the All England Club
Former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova had a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over qualifier Liudmila Samsonova and said: ‘I am super happy as I have now made the quarters of all the Grand Slams.’
Pliskova faces Switzerland’s unseeded Viktorija Golubic tomorrow after she upset the odds in a 7-6, 6-3 victory over American Madison Keys.
Another Czech, Karolina Muchova, will play 2018 Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber after holding her nerve to beat Spain’s Paulo Badosa 7-6, 6-4.