Ons Jabeur n the second round of Wimbledon 2023, UK
Ons Jabeur n the second round of Wimbledon 2023, UK | (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Tennis | Wimbledon 2023 | Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur set for rematch as Alcaraz and Rune battle for maiden Wimbledon semi-final

By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon

  • Elena Rybakina [3] v Ons Jabeur [6]
  • Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Holger Rune [6]
  • Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Madison Keys [25]
  • Daniil Medvedev [3] v Christopher Eubanks
LONDON, ENGLAND – Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur are set for a rematch of last year’s final as Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune battle for a place in a first Wimbledon semi-final on day ten of the third Grand Slam of the season.

 

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Elena Rybakina [3] v Ons Jabeur [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Elena Rybakina [3] v Ons Jabeur [6] H2H: Tied at 2-2
Wimbledon 2023 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £340,000
First on Centre Court (13:30 BST) BBC Sport

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Elena Rybakina has proven why she is the defending champion as the Kazakh has been flawless ever since her nervy opening round against Shelby Rogers. The third seed has served efficiently and powered past her opponents with her vicious forehand. Now Rybakina looks to get through a testing last few rounds as she looks to become the first player to defend their Women’s singles title at Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.

However Rybakina will have to get past the player she beat to win the title last year in the form of creative Tunisian Ons Jabeur. After edging past Bianca Andreescu, Jabeur sent out a huge statement of intent her last 16 clash as she thrashed two-time champion Petra Kvitova. Jabeur is on a mission as she has had to battle past injuries this year just to be fit for Wimbledon but now the sixth seed is here and looks to achieve her ultimate dream by winning the Wimbledon title.

Rybakina will look to continue being efficient on serve as she looks to step into the court and be aggressive with her forehand. Meanwhile Jabeur will look to use a mixture of slice and drop shots to keep the Kazakh guessing as she will need to set up aggressive patterns of play. Unlike last year’s final there will be no nerves at play as both players will look to play with freedom and bring their most aggressive tennis. This match could go either way but Jabeur’s confidence and will to win gives her the slight edge in what should be a thrilling contest.

Prediction: Jabeur in three sets.

 

Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Holger Rune [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Holger Rune [6] H2H: Tied at 1-1
Wimbledon 2023 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £340,000
Second on Centre Court (15:00 BST) BBC Sport

Carlos Alcaraz is getting more confident with each round as the Queen’s Club champion is into the last eight having won some big battles over the last two rounds. The Spaniard’s latest triumph saw him knock out former finalist Matteo Berrettini in four sets with the world number one returning the best he ever has done on a grass court. Now Alcaraz will look to break new ground at Wimbledon as he looks to strengthen his title challenge and reach a first Wimbledon semi-final.

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Alcaraz’s next obstacle on his way to the semi-finals is rival Holger Rune who entered this year’s Wimbledon having not won a match at SW19. However the Dane’s five set thriller over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has given the sixth seed confidence as the sixth seed knocked out former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov in an impressive performance. The Dane’s effortless power from the baseline mixed with his tactical confidence is a dangerous combination as Rune will now look to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final with a big win on Centre Court.

Alcaraz will look to continue his big serving as he looks to dictate the tempo of play with his forehand on return. Meanwhile Rune will look to use his backhand to move Alcaraz out of position as he looks to create opportunities with pace and spin. This should be a competitive match but Alcaraz should have too much quality for Rune in this match.

Prediction: Alcaraz in straight sets.

 

 

Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Madison Keys [25]   H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Madison Keys [25] H2H: Tied at 1-1
Wimbledon 2023 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £340,000
First on No.1 Court (13:00 BST) BBC Sport

After a mini-scare in the second round, Aryna Sabalenka has powered through the rest of the draw as she finds herself in a second Wimbledon quarter-final. The Australian Open champion is almost untouchable when on her game but when off her game she could lose to any player in the draw. Now Sabalenka will look to regain her composure and mental toughness as she searches for a second Grand Slam title of the season and a fourth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final.

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Standing in Sabalenka’s way is Eastbourne champion Madison Keys who had to battle from a set and a break down to defeat 16 year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva. Keys had regained her confidence at the big events after a difficult last few years at the Grand Slams. The American’s fearless power mixed with clinical shot selection means Keys has raised her level as the 25th seed looks to reach her second Grand Slam semi-final since 2018.

Sabalenka will look to be aggressive from serve and the forehand after the serve as she looks to give Keys very little time to prepare attacking patterns of play. Meanwhile Keys will look to use a mixture of depth and pace as she looks to test Sabalenka’s defence and rush the world number two’s baseline game. The tennis balls are the real loser here as both players will crush the ball into an oblivion. In the end Sabalenka’s confidence should take her to a straight sets win.

Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets.

 

Daniil Medvedev [3] v Christopher Eubanks H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Daniil Medvedev [3] v Christopher Eubanks H2H: Medvedev leads 1-0
Wimbledon 2023 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £340,000
Second on No.1 Court (14:30 BST) BBC Sport

Despite his poor Wimbledon record before this year, Daniil Medvedev has made the most of a favourable draw as he has eased his way into the last eight. The third seed has been dominant this season but hasn’t always brought his best tennis to the Grand Slams. Now Medvedev will look to elevate his game and continue his winning form into the latter stages of the tournament.

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Medvedev’s newly-found confidence at Wimbledon will be put to the test against Christopher Eubanks. The American has been the star of the tournament having won the Mallorca title, Eubanks has carried the momentum into Wimbledon, knocking out Cameron Norrie and Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to a first Grand Slam quarter-final. Now with nothing to lose Eubanks will continue to power his way to more history at SW19.

Medvedev will look to extend the rallies and use depth from the return to force Eubanks to play passive tennis. Meanwhile the American will look to use his backhand to hit flawless winners as he will look to dictate the tempo of the match on serve. It’s expected that Eubanks might play with more freedom than their previous match in Miami which could be dangerous for Medvedev. This will be a close encounter but Medvedev’s style of play should force more errors from Eubanks and frustrate the American more.

Prediction: Medvedev in four sets.

 

 

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