ONS JABEUR has made history by becoming the first African woman to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
The Tunisian ace defeated Tatjana Maria in their semi final to reach Saturday's showpiece.
Jabeur will play either Simona Halep or Elena Rybakina, who are playing in their semi-final RIGHT NOW on Centre Court.
In other news, Rafael Nadal has admitted he is an injury doubt for tomorrow's men's semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.
In the other men's semi, Brit Cameron Norrie faces No 1 seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic.
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- Joshua Jones
Salisbury and Ram forced into fourth set
After two-and-a-half hours on court and battling back from a break down in the third, Salisbury and Ram are into the men's doubles Wimbledon final.
A big Aussie serve and a Ram booming forehand long saw the first two match points go begging…
A controversial call sees the 6-6 point replayed but a third is saved by a mammoth Purcell serve…
Salisbury then delivers the goods at 7-7 with a superb volley and smash into the corner.
The Brit will serve for match point No4…
Double fault!
Brilliant rally as Salisbury and Ram boss the net… 9-8 they lead…
Purcell volleys one off the frame into the open court and saves the fifth match point – he apologises but the Aussies survive! 9-9…
Ram and Salisbury go for the same ball and the ball falls to the turf… 10-9 to Ebden and Purcell…
Fantastic return and Ram nets.
The show goes on…
- Joshua Jones
Simona Halep vs Elena Rybakina up next
We know of Saturday's finalist.
And in a few hours we will know who Ons Jabeur will play.
Halep won here in 2019 and has won her last 12 Wimbledon matches because there was no tournament in 2020 and she was injured in 2021.
Rybakina is the first Kazakh player – male or female – to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.
She represented Russia and was born and raised in Moscow but switched allegiance in 2018.
- Joshua Jones
History maker
On being the first African female to reach a Grand Slam final: "I'm a proud Tunisian woman standing here today.
"I try to inspire as much as possible.
"I want to see more Tunisian, Arab, African women on the tour."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
- Joshua Jones
'She owes me a barbecue'
On facing her friend Maria: "I think it was more difficult running for her balls.
"She must make me a barbecue to make up for all the running she made me do on the court!
"I wanted to share the moment with her at the end because she's such an inspiration to so many including me – I still don't know how she came back from having two babies.
"Physically she is a beast – she didn't get tired. Her touch, her serve, everything is impressive.
"Let's not play again, I'm good for now!"
- Joshua Jones
Ons' special words
Jabeur said: "I really don't know what to say it's a dream come true from years and years of work and sacrifice.
"I continue for one more match now."
- Joshua Jones
Jabeur through to maiden final
Ons Jabeur becomes the first Arab woman to reach the Wimbledon final.
She may have been playing her "barbecue buddy" today – but she smoked that third set, flying through it 6-1.
There is a really lovely embrace between the two close friends at the net.
A special moment as Jabeur then walks mum-of-two Maria into the middle of the court to share the applause.
- Joshua Jones
Jabeur has one-and-a-half feet in final
She wins a lengthy Maria service game at 0-3.
And now leads with the double break at 4-0.
- Joshua Jones
Maria levels it up
We are going the distance on Centre!
Tatjana Maria has taken the second set against Ons Jabeur.
Who will take the decisive third set?
- Joshua Jones
All the love
They have won the last TEN Grand Slam doubles titles together.
But today the Brits were on opposite sides of the net.
Alfie Hewitt beat his close pal Gordon Reid in three sets in their wheelchair singles quarter-final.
And there was a lovely moment between the pair at the net at the end.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty
- Joshua Jones
Nadal DOES practice
I can confirm Rafael Nadal has taken to the court today.
He headed out on to pretty much the further Aorangi practice court possible – and Wimbledon ensured there were no photographers able to get near (although we have a few from long distance to prove he was on the court!).
Marca are reporting he has a 7mm abdominal tear – which explains why he mainly hit forehand and backhands with a few under-powered serves.
Will he play tomorrow? We are still unsure.
But one thing I can guarantee you is Rafael Nadal will do all he can to be on Centre Court to face Nick Kyrgios.
Credit: Getty Credit: PA - Joshua Jones
Brit bossing it
Salisbury and his partner Ram have taken the second set against Purcell and Ebden.
They won the tie-break 7-1 and are now a set away from the final.
Remember, there is more British action later when Neal Skupski teams up with Desirae Krawczyk in the mixed doubles final.
They take on Ebden and Sam Stosur.
Could it be double doubles heartache for Ebden against the Brits…?
- Joshua Jones
Maria battling
Tatjana Maria is not rolling over against her "barbecue buddy" Jabeur.
She gets the first break of this second set and now leads 5-2.
- Joshua Jones
Jabeur takes first set
The Tunisian is a set away from her maiden Grand Slam final.
She got another break at 4-2 and serves it out.
Over on No1, Ram and Salisbury lead 6-3 5-5 over Ebden and Purcell.
- Joshua Jones
Keir kiss
It is case of love-flirty rather than 0-30 on Centre Court this afternoon.
That is because Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been getting cosy with wife Victoria during the first semi of the day.
To be fair, not much going in the world of politics right now so why not enjoy a day out at the tennis…
Credit: AFP - Joshua Jones
Jabeur vs Maria underway
The first ladies' semi-finals has begun on Centre.
Maria just about held in the first game after saving a string of break points before Jabeur had no such issues in her first service game.
1-1.
- Joshua Jones
Will Rafa practice?
That is the big question reverberating around the media centre here at Wimbledon.
I can confirm Nadal IS on site, he arrived in the last hour.
But he did not make his practice session on Court 10 from 12.30-1.30.
Although the club would no doubt give him the green light to switch to a more private practice court at Aorangi later should he want one.
It is still unclear whether or not Nadal will have a hit today as he tries to manage the injured abdominal that severely hampered him against Taylor Fritz yesterday.
He is due to play Nick Kyrgios in the semis tomorrow – but admitted last night he "doesn't know" if he will be fit to play.
- Joshua Jones
More Salisbury drama
Oh here we go again!
The Brit-American duo were involved in a spat during their win yesterday as a ball that was called long and looked well out was said to be in by the Hawkeye system – cue a meltdown from the pair.
And in just the second game today, there is more tension.
Salisbury chases down a drop shot and thinks he makes it before the second bounce.
He flicks the ball over the net and Purcell catches it because he thinks he has won the point.
Salisbury is not happy with the Aussie's actions – and gets the backing of the chair umpire who also believes the Brit legally returned the ball.
And therefore Salisbury got the point.
A few words are exchanged at the net but it's quickly forgotten as the Aussies hold.
- Joshua Jones
Brit watch
There is also some very important action involving Brits today.
On Court No1 right now we have Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram in doubles action.
The top seeds face Aussie pairing Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell hoping to book a spot in the final.
- Joshua Jones
Another exciting day in prospect
Today is the day where the ladies take Centre stage.
First up on the main showcourt from 1.30pm is No3 seed Ons Jabeur against close friend, 34-year-old German Tatjana Maria.
Then after that it is 2019 champ Simona Halep – on a 12-match winning streak at the All England Club – taking on Elena Rybakina.
The two winners of these semi-finals will face off in Saturday's final.
- Justin Lawrence
Murray backs Norrie to win
Andy Murray is backing Cameron Norrie to cause an upset when he faces Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Norrie disposed of David Goffin in the last round to set up a tantalising tie with Djokovic in the semi's.
But Brit legend Murray thinks Norrie has what it takes to get past the Serbian.
He said: "It is an unbelievably difficult ask but the thing that you can guarantee with Cam is he will give himself the best opportunity to win because he will fight for every single point, he’s going to compete extremely hard and he doesn’t make it easy for anyone.”
- Justin Lawrence
Nadal doubts Kyrgios clash
Rafa Nadal isn't sure if he'll be fit to face Nick Kyrgios in the semi-final.
Nadal struggled to finish his victory over Taylor Fritz in the last round due to physical issues.
And the Spaniard doesn't know if the pain will wear off in time for his final four clash with Kyrgios.
When asked about the probability of the eagerly anticipated tie, he said: "I don't know.
"Honestly, I can't give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and tomorrow another thing happens, I will be a liar."
- Justin Lawrence
Djokovic and Nadal discussed
Novak Djokovic is the only man who can match Rafa Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slams, according to Botic van de Zandschulp.
De Zandschulp lost to Nadal in Wimbledon's last 16 stage, and he reckons Djokovic is the only man who can rival the Spaniard.
Djokovic and Nadal can meet in the final if they defeat their respective opponents in the semi's tomorrow.
Nadal takes on Nick Kyrgios, while Djokovic faces British hope Cameron Norrie.
And De Zandschulp said when assessing Nadal and Djokovic's chances: "Playing against Nadal on clay is the most difficult challenge you can face in this sport.
"We are talking about a player who has won 22 Grand Slams, it is an incredible record. I believe that only Novak Djokovic can match him."
- Justin Lawrence
Kyrgios reveals semi-final disbelief
Nick Kyrgios revealed his disbelief after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals.
The Aussie ace got the better of Cristian Garin to steam into the last four.
But Kyrgios is in shock over the result as he thought he missed his shot to compete at the highest level due to poor career choices early on.
He said: "An amazing atmosphere out here again. I just never thought that I would be in the semi-finals at a Grand Slam. I thought that ship had sailed.
"I didn’t go about things great earlier in my career and may have missed my window.
"I am really proud of the way I have come back out here”.
- Kostas Lianos
Good morning tennis fans
Rafa Nadal admitted he might not play his blockbuster Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.
And if he cannot make Friday's showdown, that would see the Australian given a walkover into Sunday's final.
The Spaniard blatantly ignored pleas from his family to quit this four-hour 21-minute epic with American Taylor Fritz as he battled courageously through the pain barrier.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion may have won 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-6 on Centre Court but he refused to retire despite a troublesome abdominal injury.
However, the Australian and French Open champ accepts he faces a race against time to be fit to play foe Kyrgios as he chases the first Calendar Slam in men’s tennis for 53 years.
Asked if it was possible to recover in time for the semis, Nadal replied: “I don’t know. I’m going to have some more tests.
“It is difficult to know. I am used to have things and I am used to having pain and playing with problems.
“Let’s see. It’s obvious that this is nothing new. I had these feelings for a couple of days.
“Without a doubt, this was the worst day. There has been an important increase of pain and limitation.
“I can’t give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and then another thing happens, I will be a liar”
- Joshua Jones
Another dramatic day from SW19
Oh wow.
We thought yesterday was dramatic (trust me, it was) but then stepped forward Rafael Nadal.
The 22-time Grand Slam champ is still on for the Calendar Slam after a heroic comeback from two sets to one down and an abdominal injury to beat Taylor Fritz in five dramatic sets in four hours and 21 minutes.
He is scheduled to face Nick Kyrgios in Friday's semi-final after the Aussie kept his composure to down Cristian Garin in straight sets.
Simona Halep and Elena Rybakina booked their spots in the women's semis – which will take place tomorrow.
And there could be British success on Thursday with Neal Skupski back into the mixed doubles final with Desirae Krawczyk.
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