Women's wrap: Day 7 - 3 July

World No 2 Ons Jabeur reached her second consecutive Wimbledon quarterfinal on Sunday, beating Elise Mertens 7-6 (11/9), 6-4.

Order of Play | Win with SPAR | Watch Live on DStv

The Tunisian fended off five set points for her 24th-seeded Belgian opponent in the first set tie-break to edge ahead.

Jabeur broke serve twice in the second set to seal the win and set up a last-eight clash against Czech player Marie Bouzkova.

The 27-year-old said she wanted to be a trailblazer for Arab and African players.

"I wish I could really give that message to the young generation not just from my country but from the African continent," she said.

"I want to see more players here. I want them to believe more in themselves and believe they can be here.

"I don't come from a rich family so you have to stop finding excuses and just go for it, enjoy it."

BOUZKOVA INTO FIRST GRAND SLAM QUARTERS

Marie Bouzkova reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal when she breezed past Caroline Garcia of France in straight sets.

The 23-year-old Czech won 7-5, 6-2 against the big-serving Garcia whose challenge was undermined by her 25 unforced errors to her opponent's four.

"I don't know how I got here," said the world number 66 Bouzkova who had never previously got past the second round of a Slam.

"Now we will celebrate with strawberries and cream. It's one of our 100 routines at Wimbledon."

NIEMEIER DUMPS HOME FAVOURITE WATSON

Up-and-coming German Jule Niemeier knocked Heather Watson out of Wimbledon's fourth round, overwhelming the home favourite 6-2 6-4 with a confident display of power tennis.

Niemeier, 22, used her big serve and skilled net play to great effect, appearing completely at ease despite the Centre Court crowd's clear support for Watson, who looked tight and anxious.

Playing after Wimbledon staged a Centre Court centenary celebration including a parade of former champions, Niemeier was quickly into her stride, breaking 30-year-old Watson's serve twice to win the first set.

Watson, playing the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in 42 attempts, found some rhythm in the second set but, after she served two double faults and was broken in the seventh game, Niemeier's stranglehold was complete.

The German, ranked 97 and playing at only her second Grand Slam tournament, reached the quarterfinals on her third match point when Watson put a forehand into the net.

MOTHER OF ALL WINS AS MARIA REACHES QUARTERS

Germany's Tatjana Maria saved two match points to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

The 34-year-old mother-of-two defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 after battling back from 1-4 down in the second set.

Maria, ranked 103, fired nine aces and exploited Ostapenko's all-or-nothing approach which resulted in 52 winners and 57 unforced errors for the Latvian.

Maria made her Wimbledon debut back in 2007, but had never previously got beyond the third round of a Grand Slam.

"It makes me so proud to be a mum – that's the best thing in the world," said Maria, who only returned from a second maternity leave less than a year ago.

"I love my kids. To be able to do it together, it makes this really special."

Maria will face fellow German Jule Niemeier for a place in the semifinals.