West News Wire: Ons Jabeur, the second-ranked player in the world, was defeated in the second round of the Australian Open by Marketa Vondrousova, a former finalist at the French Open.
On Thursday, the Tunisian was defeated 6-1, 5-7, 6-1, ending her hopes of climbing to the top of the women’s singles rankings once more.
“Despite my health problems, I’m going to keep battling and get better. It’s time to heal and improve your health,” Jabeur wrote on her Twitter page on Friday.
The 28-year-old made history last year by becoming the first African woman and Arab to play in the US Open final in the open era.
Elsewhere, injury-hampered Novak Djokovic moved into the third round as the path to a 22nd Grand Slam title opened up for him with the premature exit of second seed Casper Ruud.
Ruud’s second-round exit came a day after Djokovic’s great rival Rafa Nadal, the top seed, was knocked out.
Nine-time Melbourne Park champion Djokovic was delayed slightly by an inspired second set from French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in his 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0 victory but was troubled by his heavily-strapped left thigh.
Nine-time Melbourne Park champion Djokovic was delayed slightly by an inspired second set from French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in his 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0 victory but was troubled by his heavily-strapped left thigh.
