Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur is through to the second round of the US Open in New York.
Playing behind closed doors, the 26-year-old defeated Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to keep her place at the second grand slam tournament in 2020, having reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open earlier in the year – with both the French Open and Wimbledon canceled due to coronavirus pandemic.
Jabeur, who is the 27th seed, will face Kaia Kanepi next in her match on Thursday after the Estonian recorded a straight sets 6-1 6-2 victory over Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
Ranked 31st in the world, Jabeur could also set up a potential rematch in the third round against this year’s Australian Open champion and second seed Sofia Kenin – who she lost out to in quarter-finals in Melbourne earlier in the year.
Kenin, the American and current world number four saw-off Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer 6-2 6-2 to set-up a meeting with Canada’s Leylah Annie Fernandez for her next match.
Meanwhile, home favorite Serena Williams’ chase for a record-equaling 24th grand slam title continues after a 7-5 6-3 over fellow American Kristie Ahn.