After defeat in the Wimbledon final last year, Ons Jabeur joked that Elena Rybakina “stole” her title on Centre Court.
That is probably not quite how Rybakina would describe her three-set victory and first Grand Slam success, but Jabeur will get a shot at revenge and the chance to take a major step towards righting the wrongs of 12 months ago.
The sixth seed looked back to her sensational best as she hammered two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, breezing to a 6-0 6-3 victory that sets up a quarter-final clash with Rybakina.
“It’s amazing,” Jabeur said on court. “To be able to win against her is huge for me.
“When I won the first set I said the match is starting now. It’s always tricky playing her and I just tried to stay in the moment. I really played good today. I’m loving every moment that I’m here.
“You guys have no idea the energy you bring to me and I want to win every match so I can see you every day.”
Rybakina had earlier had an even simpler day’s work on Centre Court, with just over 20 minutes played before Beatriz Haddad Maia retired due to injury.
The Brazilian left the court for a medical timeout as she received treatment on a back injury, and although she returned and attempted to continue for another game, she was swiftly forced to concede with Rybakina 4-1 up in the first set.
Jabeur was in mood to hang around either as she broke the Kvitova serve in the opening game of her match and by the time the players sat down at the changeover, it was a double break for the Tunisian with just nine minutes played.
That came via a stunning backhand pass from Jabeur, and it was an equally special shot to bring up a third break and a 5-0 lead as Kvitova’s nightmare start continued. A net cord gave her three break points in fortunate fashion, but there was nothing lucky about the glorious drop shot that left Jabeur serving for the set.
Kvitova, who hit one winner and 13 unforced errors in the first set, had a break point to avoid a bagel, but she saw that chance swiftly disappear and Jabeur sealed the opener with 22 minutes on the clock.
Kvitova got herself on the board at the start of the second set, but that was not particularly cause for celebration. The 33-year-old gifted Jabeur a break point in her very next service game, a fourth double fault coming at the worst possible time.
Victory for Jabeur appeared a matter of moments away when she then moved a double break up once again, but Kvitova pulled one of those back as Jabeur slapped a forehand into the net, keeping the ninth seed just about in touch.
There was no need for Jabeur to serve the match out though, bringing up three match points on the Kvitova serve and sealing victory at the first time of asking, as one final backhand from Kvitova floated into the tramlines.
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka wasted little time in booking her place in the quarter-finals. The second seed was in ruthless mood against Ekaterina Alexandrova, cruising to a 6-4 6-0 victory to set up a last-eight clash with Madison Keys.
Sabalenka survived a major scare in her second round match against Varvara Gracheva, when she looked alarmingly out of form, but her two wins since then have seen the 25-year-old drop a combined nine games.
