Ons Jabeur overcomes challenges to win Madrid opener

Ons Jabeur’s first round match against Jasmine Paolini at the Madrid Open was contested in challenging conditions, and the Tunisian said that she struggled to find her rhythm.
The match was contested partially with the roof open before it was closed as the heavens opened.
To make matters worse, the first set also had to be halted due to a malfunctioning sound system of all things.
Jabeur slides through to the second round 👊
The No.8 seed gets past Paolini, 7-6(9), 6-1.#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/QpMFtXPTcT
— wta (@WTA) April 28, 2022
Changing conditions made it difficult for Jabeur to settle and the first set went to a tiebreak.
Jabeur found her game in a more settled second stanza which she took 6-1.
The eighth seed cut a relieved figure after the match.
“The whole match, obviously I didn’t want to play the way I wanted to play. But I’m glad I was able to get the win under such conditions. It changes from playing indoors to outdoors. But first match is always tough in a tournament. I’m happy that I got the win today and hopefully the level will be much better for the next matches.”
Paolini might equally claim that conditions weren’t exactly in her favour, and she suffered a loss of momentum having taken an early 3-0 lead only to see play suspended briefly.
Jabeur took advantage, however, while she was able to restore parity she couldn’t land the killer blow until the tiebreak.
The second set was a formality as Jabeur settled into her game which was clearly a few levels above what Paolini could bring.
Madrid Open 15th seed Victoria Azarenka followed Jabeur onto the Arantxa Sánchez Stadium, beating Viktorija Golubic 7-6(5), 6-3 in 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Golubic took an early lead but after Azarenka fought back the battle between WTA Tour veterans became one-sided.
Azarenka will face Slovenian Tamara Zidansek in the second round of the Madrid Open.
Karolína Muchová also battled past Zheng Qinwen 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 25 minutes on a busy opening day of the main draw.
Home favourite Paula Badosa started her campaign with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Veronika Kudermetova.
World No 52 Nuria Parrizas Diaz made her Madrid Open debut with a sound 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sorana Cirstea giving her a first top 30 scalp.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Exclusive – Former British No 1 insists Novak Djokovic deserves more respect
Novak Djokovic deserves equal billing alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon ranking points decision sparking angry reaction from players
The decision from the ATP and WTA…
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz ‘a different person’ as he prepares for second French Open
Carlos Alcaraz heads into the French Open…
-
ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie wins Lyon Open for fourth career title
Cameron Norrie claims his fourth career title in Lyon.
-
News
Novak Djokovic ready to be tested in French Open defence after ‘very tough’ draw
The Serbian could face Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev if he wants to win the title
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek relaxed as she returns to happy hunting ground
Iga Swiatek says she is prepared for the day her winning streak is broken.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon doubles down on Russian ban despite stripping of ranking points
Wimbledon organisers said they ‘made the only viable decision’.
-
News
Peng Shuai latest: IOC says she is ‘looking forward to visiting Europe’
Peng’s safety and freedom has been a concern since she appeared to allege in a social media post that she had been sexually assaulted.
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu facing huge rankings drop after Wimbledon decision
Djokovic is almost certain to lose his No.1 ranking.
-
Wimbledon
Comment – Why the removal Wimbledon’s ranking points could backfire on the ATP and WTA
Wimbledon has been stripped of its ATP ranking points following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.