Ons Jabeur has kickstarted her Adelaide International campaign with a significant victory over Danielle Collins, the No. 4 seed, winning 7-6 (6), 6-2. The match, played at Memorial Drive Tennis Park, showcased Jabeur's resilience as she faced formidable competition and emerged victorious after roughly 90 minutes of high-stakes tennis.
Jabeur, who needed to dig deep against Collins, found herself challenged right from the outset. The first set was tightly contested, with both players exchanging breaks, leaving the set to be decided by a tiebreak. Displaying her mental toughness, Jabeur managed to secure the first set by executing her game plan effectively, clinching it 7-6 after converting her third set point.
The tone shifted slightly during the second set, with Jabeur finding her rhythm and capitalizing on Collins' mistakes. Jabeur's ability to convert four out of eleven break points exemplified her aggressive and strategic play. She took command, finishing the match with back-to-back breaks to take the second set 6-2, thereby eliminating Collins and advancing to the next round.
This match marked the continuation of Jabeur’s comeback after she had struggled with injuries—including a troublesome shoulder—which cut her 2024 season short. Jabeur made the difficult choice to prioritize her recovery after facing setbacks, including three consecutive defeats at the US Open. Her early returns to form include participation and success at the Brisbane tournament prior to heading to Adelaide.
Moving forward, Jabeur's next challenge will be against Yulia Putintseva, who has proven to be no less of a competitor than Collins. This upcoming match is pivotal for Jabeur as she aims not only to regain her former ranking but also to rediscover the form which saw her reach the finals of three Grand Slam tournaments. Jabeur currently sits at world No. 40, following her recent struggles, yet this victory provides momentum heading toward the Australian Open.
Throughout the match, Jabeur’s impressive returning game was on full display. Despite dropping her serve twice, she consistently created break point opportunities, showing her tenacity and offensive strategy. After her shaky start with early breaks against her, Jabeur’s resolve shone through as she focused her energy, broke back, and dominated the latter part of the match to secure the win.
With this victory, Jabeur not only gets one step closer to her goals for the tournament but also reinforces her potential as one of the players to watch going forward. After dealing with the challenges posed by Collins, her win has rejuvenated her confidence as she now gears up for her next match against Putintseva, where she hopes to continue building her momentum and reclaim her status among the elite players on the WTA tour.
This match is expected to bolster Jabeur’s standing in the lead-up to the Australian Open, which carries added weight as she attempts to meet both personal and professional expectations. Jabeur’s fans will be eager to see how she copes with her subsequent challenges and whether she can maintain this upward trend.