Ons Jabeur confronted fans disrupting Jelena Ostapenko’s serve during their quarter-final match at the Qatar Open. Despite the crowd’s support for Jabeur, Ostapenko won convincingly, avenging a previous loss. Both players had noteworthy performances leading up to this encounter. Ostapenko criticized the fans but acknowledged their role in motivating her. She now faces Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
During the Qatar Open quarter-finals, Ons Jabeur confronted fans who were disrupting her opponent Jelena Ostapenko’s service motion. As Jabeur is a well-regarded player among the crowd, her intervention was both unexpected and amusing to Ostapenko, who eventually won the match in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) to advance to the semi-finals. This victory was particularly noteworthy for Ostapenko, as it avenged her previous loss to Jabeur in Abu Dhabi.
Both players had impressive runs leading to their quarter-final clash, with Jabeur defeating No. 7 seed Qinwen Zheng and Ostapenko overcoming two seeded players, including Liudmila Samsonova and Jasmine Paolini. The match showcased the rivalry between them as they both sensed a potential for an upset in Doha. However, Ostapenko gained an early advantage, quickly winning the first set.
Fan support heavily favored Jabeur, leading to disruptions during Ostapenko’s serve, prompting Jabeur to intervene. With her arms raised, Jabeur signaled the crowd to stop, eliciting laughter from Ostapenko. Despite this distraction, Ostapenko maintained her focus, concluding the match decisively in just 71 minutes.
After the match, Ostapenko expressed her frustration with the spectators, noting that their actions had “angered” her but also motivated her to perform better. She commended Jabeur for representing Middle Eastern tennis and acknowledged the crowd’s enthusiasm, though she emphasized the need for respect during matches. Ostapenko’s win sets the stage for her next match against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, with Ostapenko holding a strong 4-0 record against her.
Jabeur’s intervention at the Qatar Open highlighted her commitment to sportsmanship while showcasing the passion of the fans. Ostapenko’s victory not only avenged her recent loss but also emphasized her resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. The match sets up an exciting semi-final as Ostapenko prepares to face Iga Swiatek, maintaining a perfect record against the top-ranked player.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
