Ons Jabeur crashes out to Varvara Gracheva at Miami Open as Tunisia star’s rocky start to 2023 continues

No. 4 seed Ons Jabeur has crashed out of the Miami Open after a 6-2 6-2 loss to qualifier Varvara Gracheva in the second round in one hour and 11 minutes.

Jabeur, who suffered a second-round exit at Indian Wells last week, has endured an injury-disrupted start to her 2023 season and it got worse on Friday as she fell to defeat to the world No. 54.

“The plan was like all matches to be as stable as possible,” Gracheva said in her on-court interview afterwards. “I tried to make her work in as many points as possible and waited for a comfortable one-two attack and if that doesn’t work try again. Simple as that.

“I’ve just caught this wave where I’m stable. I have a chance to play aggressive and cause trouble for the opponent. I just try to keep rolling on this way.”

Jabeur got off to a slow start on Grandstand, winning just a single point in the opening two games which went the way of Gracheva who sealed the break with a slice at the net.

The Russian continued to handle the pressure points well, recovering from 0-30 down to move into a 4-1 lead with a vicious cross-court backhand winner.

Gracheva dominated from the baseline and sealed the opening set on the Jabeur serve in 33 minutes when the Tunisian crashed a forehand into the net.

Jabeur squandered two break points in the opening game of the second set as Gracheva rattled off four points in a row. Gracheva followed up by breaking in the next game thanks to a Jabeur unforced error.

At 3-0 down, Jabeur called on a trainer as she was feeling unwell and after a lengthy delay decided to play on, but she came back fighting and the crowd roared her on as she sealed an all-important break to make it 3-2.

But Gracheva reasserted her authority by restoring her break advantage in the next game. Jabeur smashed her racquet in frustration and received a warning from the umpire before Gracheva raced to the finish line.

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