Wimbledon 2023: Ons Jabeur survives scare to progress, Petra Kvitova and Aryna Sabalenka win

Last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur fought back to beat Bianca Andreescu and set up a last-16 tie against two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

The Tunisian sixth seed came through 3-6 6-3 6-4 against the Canadian after a lengthy rain delay on Centre Court.

Earlier, Kvitova beat Serbian qualifier Natalija Stevanovic 6-3 7-5.

Also through is Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Anna Blinkova 6-2 6-3 before Briton Katie Boulter plays 2022 champion Elena Rybakina.

Jabeur had made light work of her first two opponents at SW19, dropping just eight games as she cruised through to the third round.

She has already made history at the All England Club, becoming the first Arab player to reach a Grand Slam final last year before going on to match that achievement at the 2022 US Open.

But, in Jabeur’s first match on Centre Court since her final loss to Elena Rybakina last year, Andreescu proved a stern test.

Jabeur looked uncomfortable from the opening exchanges against the 2019 US Open champion Andreescu, sending simple shots out of bounds and turning to shout at her team in exasperation as she gave away the first set.

The momentum shifted on a call of out at 2-2 in the second set – Andreescu challenged the decision but, after seeing Jabeur’s reaction, cancelled it before it went to the replay.

Television replays showed the ball had indeed clipped the line. It could have been a turning point for Andreescu but instead, Jabeur seized control of the second set and forced a decider.

But, with the score poised at 3-2 after Jabeur had forced the deciding set back on serve, rain led to play being stopped and the roof being closed.

Jabeur returned from the near 50 minute break the better and secured a crucial break as the Canadian’s nerves got the better of her, with Jabeur then able to capitalise and serve out the match.

Sabalenka, who had to come from behind to win her previous match against Varvara Gracheva, was in no mood to make things difficult this time around as she raced to a 3-0 lead against Blinkova, breaking the Russian to love in her opening service game.

It felt like the Australian Open champion might run away with the set but she failed to convert two further break points as Blinkova got herself on the scoreboard, much to the audible relief of the crowd.

But Blinkova, who had matched her previous best Grand Slam showing by reaching this stage, was not much of a challenge to Sabalenka, who racked up 30 winners under the roof on Court One.

She sealed victory with her ninth ace to set up a fourth-round encounter against another Russian, Ekaterina Alexandrova, who beat Dalma Galfi 6-0 6-4.

Meanwhile, Brazilian 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia progressed to the fourth round at SW19 for the first time with a 6-2 6-2 win over Romanian 37th seed Sorana Cirstea, sealing victory minutes before the rain came.

Elsewhere, fourth seed Jessica Pegula has pulled out of the mixed doubles, which she was due to play with fellow American Austin Krajicek, with a back injury.

Pegula is set to face Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko on Sunday in her third-round singles match.