Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis player who made history last year by becoming the first Arab player and the first African woman to reach a grand slam singles final at Wimbledon, is once again on the path to glory. In a thrilling semi-final match, Jabeur triumphed over world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 victory. This impressive win has secured Jabeur a spot in the Wimbledon final, where she will face Marketa Vondrousova.

Last year, Jabeur’s journey to the final was documented in the Netflix series Break Point. Watching that episode brought back the joy, hope, and pain of that unforgettable fortnight for Jabeur and her husband, Karim. The wounds were still fresh, and Jabeur knew she had to return this year with the determination to win it all.

And she did just that. Jabeur showed immense grit and self-belief in her match against Sabalenka. Despite being a set and 2-4 down, she dug deep and found the strength to stage a remarkable comeback. Her win over Sabalenka marks her third grand slam final in the past five events, following her appearance in last year’s Wimbledon final and the US Open final.

Reflecting on her victory, Jabeur expressed pride in herself for not giving up and finding the strength to keep fighting. Sabalenka, on the other hand, felt the disappointment of another semi-final collapse, having suffered a similar fate at the French Open.

Jabeur faced a tough draw this year, with three title contenders in her path. But she overcame the challenge, defeating Bianca Andreescu, Petra Kvitova, and Elena Rybakina along the way. Despite the difficulties, Jabeur played with smooth precision, attacking her opponents with her forehand and forcing them into uncomfortable positions on the court.

In her match against Sabalenka, Jabeur’s desperation to succeed was evident. She continued to impose herself with her forehand and found success in her return of serve. Sabalenka’s errors began to mount under pressure, and Jabeur seized the opportunity to take control of the match. She won the final four games of the second set to force a thrilling third set.

In the decisive set, Jabeur served brilliantly and played clear-minded, attacking tennis. She secured the decisive break at 3-2 and served out the match to secure the biggest win of her career. Despite facing numerous injuries and setbacks this season, Jabeur’s mental strength and fighting spirit have propelled her to new heights.

Looking ahead to the final, Jabeur is determined to make her path worth it. She has defeated grand slam champions along the way and is now the favorite to win her first grand slam title. With her transcendent talents and unwavering determination, Jabeur is poised to etch her name in the annals of tennis history.