Miami Masters 1000: is this where Ons Jabeur finally wakes up?
Miami Masters 1000: is this where Ons Jabeur finally wakes up? The Tunisian faces Russia's Elina Avanesyan (65th) on Saturday night.
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Ons Jabeur wants to get her season back on track in Miami. Seeded No. 6, the Tunisian has to live up to her ranking, having struggled to win back-to-back matches at a tournament. Africa's best female player has already lost four matches this season, a dismal record for a two-time Grand Slam finalist. The 28-year-old has, however, spoken about a knee problem that is probably the main reason for her poor results.
Read also: Ons Jabeur, four defeats already: should we be worried?
She had taken a short break before returning at Indian Wells. It was a failed comeback, as she was knocked out in her opening match by American Katie Volynets, a player in the top 150. Ons Jabeur will try to make amends on Saturday night in Miami, where she meets Russia's Elina Avanesyan (65th), a qualifier, in the first round. It is therefore a very winnable match for the Madrid Masters 1000 champion. It will be the first meeting between the two players on tour.
A good run for Jabeur in the California desert would allow her to regain confidence and begin the clay-court season with a calmer mind, as she has so often shone on the red dirt.