Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Top-seeded Ons Jabeur won her fifth career title at the Ningbo Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over teenager Diana Shnaider on Saturday.
The seventh-ranked Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, saved her best performance of the tournament for the final and raced to victory in 78 minutes.
“I felt tactically I played very well, I had an advantage in that I had more experience than her to manage certain points,” The Associated Press quoted Jabeur as saying.

“Playing a final here is more relaxed than playing a Grand Slam final, but I think it will help me gain confidence more, and to help me manage the pressure and stress.”
The Tunisian had 18 winners to only 10 unforced errors, while saving all three break points she faced, denying the 19-year-old Shnaider any chance to get a foothold in the match.
This was 85th-ranked Shnaider's first career final in just her ninth WTA tournament main draw. One year ago, she was ranked No. 220 and beginning her freshman year at North Carolina State.



Sinner Seeks to Put Disappointment of French Open Defeat Behind Him

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner with the runner up trophy after losing the men's singles final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. (Reuters)
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner with the runner up trophy after losing the men's singles final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. (Reuters)
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Sinner Seeks to Put Disappointment of French Open Defeat Behind Him

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner with the runner up trophy after losing the men's singles final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. (Reuters)
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner with the runner up trophy after losing the men's singles final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. (Reuters)

World number one Jannik Sinner wants to use the Halle Open as a chance to bounce back from sleepless nights after his agonizing loss to rival Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final this month.

In a thrilling showdown, Sinner took the first two sets and had three match points in the fourth set, but Spaniard Alcaraz persevered to grind out a 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) win in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest final at Roland Garros.

Asked if he had thought about the championship points he failed to convert, Sinner told reporters on Saturday: "Often. It happens. I don't know how it will look in the future.

"I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here" in Halle.

"I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. Yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better."

The 23-year-old Italian is the reigning champion at Halle and will seek to defend his crown at the tournament, which starts on Monday, as he gears up for Wimbledon, which will be held from June 30 to July 13 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

"The first practice session was OK. I hadn´t played since Paris, so my general feelings on the court were not so perfect," Sinner said.

"I think a good grass-court player can move well. The ball can bounce a bit funny because of the grass, and you have to serve intelligently.

"But in general, it is a surface on which I took a step forward last year and we will see how it goes this year."