BBC Wimbledon 2023 coverage
Location: All England Club, Dates: 3-16 July
Accessibility: Extensive broadcasting through BBC TV, radio, online, iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs, and mobile app. Additional coverage details can be found here.
A stellar recovery saw Ons Jabeur defeat Aryna Sabalenka, paving the way for a Wimbledon women’s singles final against Marketa Vondrousova, an unseeded player from the Czech Republic.
Facing a challenging situation, Jabeur found herself trailing by a set and 4-2, yet managed to ride the crest of public support and momentum to secure a 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 victory. The win positions her in her second consecutive Wimbledon final.
This triumph guarantees a fresh Wimbledon and Grand Slam champion on the coming Saturday.
Vondrousova halted the run of Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina by winning 6-3 6-3, making her the first unseeded player to compete in the Wimbledon women’s singles final in the Open era.
Jabeur, the Tunisian sixth seed who fell in last year’s final against Elena Rybakina, received strong support from the Centre Court audience throughout one of the tournament’s most captivating matches to date.
“Thank you to the crowd that kept me in the match,” Jabeur expressed in her on-court interview, adding, “I’m working a lot with my mental coach about this. I might be writing a book about it!”
The women’s singles final is scheduled for 14:00 BST on Saturday.
Jabeur, who is attempting to be the first African and Arab woman to claim a Slam singles title, garnered a significant fan base at SW19 during her run to the previous year’s final.
She desperately needed this support as she rallied from a tough spot against the world’s number two player. Jabeur demonstrated calmness and resilience throughout the match, notably in the first set, where she consistently put Sabalenka’s service games under pressure.
However, her luck changed after a string of mistakes in the first-set tie-break, giving the Australian Open champion Sabalenka an opportunity to win the opening set.
Despite being noticeably dejected at the start of the second set and falling behind due to errors, Jabeur managed to claw back to level, much to the delight of her supporters.
With momentum on her side, Jabeur won the decisive set, leaving Sabalenka trailing despite her best efforts.
In her post-match comments, Jabeur spoke of the match’s difficulty but took pride in her performance, saying, “I’m very proud of myself because maybe the old me would have lost this match today.”
On the other side of the coin, Vondrousova’s journey to the finals has been the most astonishing at Wimbledon since Eugenie Bouchard’s feat in 2014.
Vondrousova, who ranks 42nd globally, confessed before the semi-final that she “never thought” she could excel on grass.
However, her successful run in the tournament, which included defeating four seeded opponents, culminating in her victory over former world number three Svitolina, has proven her potential.
Svitolina, who has been in the headlines recently for her impressive comeback from childbirth and dealing with the war back home, showed her fighting spirit even as the match seemed to slip from her grasp.
Despite her best efforts, Vondrousova managed to maintain composure and secure her victory in a tense service game.
The Wimbledon updates continue with live scores, results, and order of play accessible through BBC platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wimbledon 2023 Semi-finals
Who won the Wimbledon 2023 semi-final matches?
Ons Jabeur triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova defeated Elina Svitolina in the Wimbledon 2023 semi-final matches.
Who will be in the Wimbledon 2023 women’s singles final?
Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova will face each other in the Wimbledon 2023 women’s singles final.
What is notable about Marketa Vondrousova’s progress to the final?
Marketa Vondrousova is the first unseeded player to reach the Wimbledon women’s singles final in the Open era.
What time is the women’s singles final at Wimbledon 2023?
The women’s singles final at Wimbledon 2023 is scheduled for 14:00 BST on Saturday.
Who was the crowd’s favorite player in the match between Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka?
Ons Jabeur was the crowd’s favorite player in her match against Aryna Sabalenka.
What previous records did Ons Jabeur hold at Wimbledon?
Ons Jabeur is the Tunisian sixth seed who made it to the final in the previous year’s Wimbledon, where she was defeated by Elena Rybakina.
What are some significant aspects of Elina Svitolina’s performance in Wimbledon 2023?
Despite her strong performance, Elina Svitolina was defeated in the semi-final by Marketa Vondrousova. This was notable as she made a comeback after giving birth and was motivated by the ongoing war in her home country, Ukraine.
More about Wimbledon 2023 Semi-finals
- Wimbledon Official Site
- BBC Sports Tennis
- Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Official Site
- Ons Jabeur Player Profile
- Marketa Vondrousova Player Profile
- Aryna Sabalenka Player Profile
- Elina Svitolina Player Profile
5 comments
Vondrousova in the final, who would’ve thought?! grass isnt even her best surface. This is wild.
Feel for Svitolina though, having to deal with a new baby and war back home.. and still putting up a fight on court. Hats off to her.
jabeurs got a huge crowd behind her, she could really take this. first African and Arab woman to be a Slam singles champion?? History in the making
Vondrousova’s story is so inspiring, come back from 2 wrist surgeries and now in a grand slam final. Amazing.
Wow, can’t believe Jabeur pulled that off! Shes a fighter. sabalenka must be gutted. Looking forward to the final!!