NEW YORK: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur claimed another piece of tennis history after becoming the first African woman to reach the semifinals of the US Open on Tuesday with a straight sets victory over Ajla Tomljanovic.
Jabeur, who was also the first woman from Africa to win a place in the Wimbledon final in July, moved into the last four with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.
The 28-year-old will face either 12th seed Coco Gauff or in-form French 17th seed Caroline Garcia in Thursday’s semifinals.
Tomljanovic’s run to the quarter-finals had included a superb display to eliminate Serena Williams in the third round, in what was most likely the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s final singles match before retirement.
But Tomljanovic found the going harder against the dynamic Jabeur on Tuesday, the Tunisian varying her play cleverly and attacking her Australian opponent from the outset.
Jabeur said she drew confidence from reaching the Wimbledon final, and hoped her success would inspire future generations of female African tennis players.
“It really means a lot to me,” Jabeur said.
“I believe more in myself. After Wimbledon it was very positive. Even though I lost the final, I knew I had it in me to win a Grand Slam. And here I am in the semifinals of the US Open.”
Jabeur is known affectionately as the “Minister of Happiness” by fans in Tunisia for the joy that her progress on court has brought to her homeland.
However Jabeur admitted she had let her frustration get the better of her at times on Tuesday, when she banged her racquet in frustration several times.
“I think I’m gonna be fired from my job as Minister of Happiness,” she joked.
“It is tough to manage my frustration. I apologize for my behavior. I really wanted to keep calm but the racquet kept slipping away from my hand.”
Jabeur broke early on to set up a 3-1 lead in the first set and although Tomljanovic broke back to level at 3-3, Jabeur regained the advantage in the next game, sealing a break with a pinpoint backhand winner into the corner before holding for 5-3.
Tomljanovic staved off a set point to cut Jabeur’s lead to 5-4, but Jabeur held serve easily, bringing up two set points with an ace before clinching the opening set when a Tomljanovic return sailed long.
Jabeur looked poised to wrap up victory briskly after grabbing an early break and a hold to go 2-0 early in the second set.
But the Tunisian was then broken three times in a row to leave Tomljanovic serving for the set at 5-3 up.
Tomljanovic’s nerve failed her however and she double-faulted at 0-40 down to throw Jabeur a lifeline. Jabeur took full advantage to force the tie-break and clinched victory when a Tomljanovic return plopped into the net.
Jabeur defeats Tomljanovic to reach US Open semifinals
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Jabeur defeats Tomljanovic to reach US Open semifinals
- The 28-year-old will face either 12th seed Coco Gauff or in-form French 17th seed Caroline Garcia in Thursday’s semifinals
Stinger Golf Club rebrands as Southern Guards GC
- South Africa’s LIV Golf team unveils new identity ahead of 2026 home debut
NEW YORK: LIV Golf has announced that South Africa’s Stinger Golf Club has rebranded as Southern Guards GC, just months before the league tees off on African soil for the first time.
At the heart of the Southern Guards’ brand identity is an emphasis on culture, unity and resilience, inspired by the principle of Ubuntu, under the slogan: “I am because we are.”
Also central to the team’s new identity is the rhino, which has considerable symbolic meaning in South African culture.
The rebrand comes ahead of LIV Golf South Africa at Steyn City, Johannesburg, from March 19 to 22. With more than 70,000 tickets already sold, interest continues to grow.
Richard Glover, general manager of Southern Guards GC, said: “This has been an emotional and considered decision, but we felt the time was right to embrace a name and visual identity that more authentically reflects who we are and where we come from.
“Southern Guards GC reflects the responsibility we carry in representing South Africa on a global stage. With LIV Golf coming to the country for the first time, the timing couldn’t be more fitting for us to represent our heritage with pride.”
Southern Guards GC will continue into the 2026 season with the same all-South African lineup that has become synonymous with the team’s identity.
The team members are Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester and Charl Schwartzel, four of the country’s most accomplished golfers.
