Tennis Eastbourne International : Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur advance to the semifinals
Serena Williams and World No. 3 Ons Jabeur won against Shuko Aoyama of Japan and Chan Hao-ching of Taiwan 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals at the doubles event of Eastbourne International
Serena Williams (left) and Ons Jabeur during their ladies doubles match against Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching on day five of the Rothesay International Eastbourne at Devonshire Park, EastboThe pair converted three break points and fired seven aces to defeat the unseeded pairing of Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching with a straight-set victory. Serena Williams has already improved in her second match after a year-long break as she prepares for the 2022 Wimbledon.
The quarterfinals went much smoother for the duo compared to the first round, where they struggled a little to defeat Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo. Ons Jabeur of Tunisia seems to be enjoying her partnership with the 23-time Grand Slam winner despite being more used to playing in the singles.
After the victory, Serena Williams said, "I didn't do much, just played with my baby. She's so fun. I think Ons and I played together much better today. Although I thought we played well together yesterday, too. Ons held me up today; she was playing so well. I was looking at her like, 'Wow, this is great."
Ons Jabeur and Serena Williams will return to court for a semifinal clash against Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia and Magda Linette of Poland on June 24.
Jeļena Ostapenko moves forward after Madison Keys retires
In the singles event, defending champion Jeļena Ostapenko of Latvia received a walkover in the second round after 11th seed Madison Keys, who had to leave the match after the first set due to an abdominal injury.
No. 8 seed Jeļena Ostapenko had won the first set 6-3 before the match came to a halt. The loss ended the two-match win streak of Madison Keys against her Latvian opponent.
Jeļena Ostapenko will next face Anhelina Kalinina in the quarterfinals of Eastbourne International on June 23. Anhelina Kalinina advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.