Ons Jabeur on a mission at US Open as she eyes move up the rankings through consistency

US Open
Ons Jabeur plays a shot

Ons Jabeur edged closer to achieving one of her goals at the US Open on Tuesday as she booked her place in the third round at Flushing Meadows, but she has a few other things to tick off her to-do list.

The world No 5 was made to battle for her win by Elizabeth Mandlik – daughter of the great Hana Mandlikova – as the teenager battled well in the opening set.

Jabeur, though, toughened it out and won 7-5, 6-2 to move into the last 32 of the US Open for the third time, but she is yet to make it past that stage.

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It was Mandlik who was quick out of the blocks as the 21-year-old broke in game three only for the Tunisian to get back on serve in game six. The American then broke again in game nine and came out to serve for the set, but Jabeur overpowered her and, after holding serve, broke for a third time to take the set.

The Wimbledon runner-up then took charge of the match as she raced into a 3-0 lead before the world No 144 striked back in game five. However, Jabeur won the final three games – including two breaks – to wrap up the match.

“I wasn’t consistent enough at the French Open,” Jabeur, who made an early exit at Roland Garros, said.

“When I came here, my goal was to be in the second week, and my goal was to really improve more and get through the third round. I’m just taking each match at a time, and hopefully will learn from other US Opens. ”

Jabeur reached a career-high No 2 in the WTA Rankings in June, but her stay there was brief due to the lack of points at Wimbledon, but now she hopes to climb back up the ladder.

“I have a mission. I’m No 5 in the world, so for me I’m trying to represent that number as much as I can so I can really improve my game and I can really continue and improve my ranking, hopefully.”

She will face 31st seed Shelby Rogers for a place in the fourth round after the American beat Viktoria Kuzmova 7-5, 6-1 with the winner facing either Veronika Kudermetova or Dalma Galfi.

Elizabeth Mandlik Ons Jabeur

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