Ons Jabeur will enjoy 'two parties' after Eid victory over Belinda Bencic at Madrid Open
Ons Jabeur secured her place in the Madrid Open quarter-finals after defeating Belinda Bencic in three sets on Monday.
The Tunisian ran out a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victor over 11th seed Bencic in the Spanish capital and will now take on Simona Halep in the next round.
In the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium, Jabeur joked with the crowd that they should consider supporting her against Halep, who knocked out their home favourite Paula Badosa in the previous round.
“Just a reminder guys, Simona won against Paula and she's Spanish so if she wins you have to cheer for me,” laughed Jabeur after her win over reigning Olympic champion Bencic.
In a match that was interrupted by a sudden rainstorm that flooded the court, Jabeur put on a show in the final game, flaunting her unique touch and pulling off impossible gets on her way to the last eight.
The win came on a special occasion for the 27-year-old as she celebrates Eid with the Muslim world. “It's two parties let's say. Some people were telling me, 'Listen this is Eid, so you have to win today'. So I was trying my best,” said Jabeur, who at No 10 in the world, is the highest-ranked player left in the draw.
“Part of me is very proud of myself for coming today and getting the win. Belinda is such an amazing player and it's very tough to play against her. I'm very happy with the level I showed today, and hopefully this level will continue for the rest of the tournament.”
Former world No 1 Halep recovered from falling 4-1 down in the second set to defeat American teenager Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-4 in 77 minutes.
Into the last eight