Aryna Sablenka vs Ons Jabeur Odds
| Sabalenka Odds | -160 |
| Jabeur Odds | +130 |
| Over/Under | 22.5 (+100 / -140) |
| Time | How to Watch | Thursday, 10 a.m. ET | ESPN |
| Odds via BetMGM. For tips on how to watch the Wimbledon, click here. | |
Ons Jabeur displayed a high level to overcome a slight hiccup at the end of the first set and fight back to win in three sets over Elena Rybakina. It was the opposite of last year's final, where she started well and then let the pressure get to her at Wimbledon.
Things won't get any easier in the semifinal, however, as she plays another incredibly aggressive and powerful ball striker in Aryna Sabalenka.
Let's get into this matchup and see how likely it is Jabeur can make it back-to-back finals at The Championships.
Sabalenka Nearing World No. 1
The dream run in 2023 continues for Sabalenka, as she managed to storm back from 2-4 down and 40-0 down on return to take her quarterfinal in straight sets against American Madison Keys.
It's a perfect result to illustrate the strides she's made this year. Formerly like Keys, with a bit more to her game, in terms of inconsistency plaguing her massive power-centric game, the 25-year-0ld has really improved in the control department and it has worked wonders for her.
She's already taken down her first ever Grand Slam title in Melbourne back in January, has another pair of tournament wins and now this is her fourth consecutive semifinal appearance at the Grand Slam level. Her 40-7 record across all surfaces is also Iga Swiatek-like, which is precisely how she's chased down the Pole in the rankings race.
Sabalenka is likely to give Jabeur an even tougher test than Elena Rybakina, considering she can match the Kazakh's power, while also being a bit more mobile than the Indian Wells champion.
At this point, she's the front runner to take home the crown for a reason.
Jabeur Continues Impressive Run on Grass
There's a case to be made that Jabeur is the best grass-courter in the world at the moment.
She reached the final and had two cracks at winning it all in the second and third sets against Rybakina. Now, she's back in the semifinals, thanks to the payback she managed to dole out on Wednesday.
Her game also suits the surface. Jabeur has a big first serve, powerful forehand, the ability to absorb pace and hit back without having too much time from the baseline and variety that the lower-bouncing lawns reward. Her drop shot is elite and her slices help blunt the power of her opponents, as they're forced to hit with more margin for error or risk committing an unforced error.
Jabeur's path to the final is a tough one though, as she has to rebound from a three-set victory in the quarters and play an equally tough opponent a day later.
Sabalenka vs Jabeur Pick
It's great to see Jabeur rewarded for being the more well-rounded player this time around, after she was once again better on the whole than Rybakina.
I don't have this one being as kind to the Tunisian, as Sabalenka has fewer holes to her game that can be exploited, spent less time on court on Wednesday and has been the best player in the world for the 2023 season.
Yet somehow the price here on Sabalenka is cheaper to back than Rybakina's moneyline was last round.
I respect Jabeur as a player, especially on a grass court, but think that there's been a bit of an overreaction to her win in the quarters.
Pick: Sabalenka ML (-160 via BetMGM)
