Last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur was made to work hard by Czech teenager Linda Noskova before sealing a thrilling 7-6(7) 4-6 6-3 victory to reach the third round of the US Open on Thursday.
The Tunisian fifth seed, who is seeking a maiden Grand Slam title, edged a tight opening set before 18-year-old Noskova stepped up the pressure in the second.
Noskova had won their only previous meeting in the Adelaide semi-finals earlier this year and breezed to a 5-1 lead before Jabeur came storming back by winning three quick games.
Jabeur, who was dogged by breathing difficulties and other issues in her last match, took a tumble chasing a low shot at the net and appeared shaken up briefly as the big-hitting Noskova held her serve to level the match.
The Tunisian said she was still not at 100% but added that playing in the night session had helped her.
“But yeah, I’m taking it slow,” Jabeur said. “Not really slow in this match, but I have one day off and hopefully I’ll feel better after tomorrow.
“It’s tricky to feel sick during a tournament so we manage with the team. Let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Jabeur saved a break point to go 2-1 up and eventually took charge of a tense decider in the eighth game before closing out the win on her fourth match point, setting up a meeting with another Czech, Marie Bouzkova.
“I tried to stay calm and obviously the crowd didn’t give up. So thank you so much,” Jabeur told the fans at Grandstand.
“This is a very special tournament. I think I’m going to use ‘warrior’ as a symbol for this tournament to continue until the end.”
Kasatkina roars back to defeat Kenin
Russian Daria Kasatkina battled back to defeat American Sofia Kenin 2-6 6-4 6-4 and reach the third round of the US Open.
The 13th seed looked to be heading out of the tournament after Kenin cruised through the first set and took a 3-1 lead in the second.
But she settled in from there, breaking Kenin for 3-3 and again to level the contest at a set apiece.
Kenin, a former Grand Slam champion now ranked number 101 in the world, broke in the opening game of the decider but was broken right back in a match that featured 14 total breaks of serve.
Kasatkina and Kenin have now split their four career meetings.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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