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Jabeur headlines women's winners

tennis06 January 2023 10:39| © AFP
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Ons Jabeur © Gallo Images

Women's top seed Ons Jabeur went 3-0 behind in the first set against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, but rallied to win 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 at the Adelaide International on Friday, boosting her Australian Open preparations.

"I didn't start the way I wanted to ... I just kept telling myself to put two or three balls in to get in the game," said Jabeur.

"I'm pretty happy I didn't go three sets with her."

The Tunisian will take on rising Czech teen Linda Noskova for a place in the final after she outlasted veteran Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6).

World No 5 Aryna Sabalenka held off Marketa Vondrousova to book her place in the last four.

The Belarusian overcame hot conditions to dismiss her Czech opponent 6-3, 7-5 and continue her strong 2022 late-season form where she finished runner-up at the WTA Finals.

The second seed's reward is a last-four clash with Romanian veteran Irina-Camelia Begu, who upset Russian world No 9 Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 6-4.

"It was a tough match and she fought until the end and I was really happy I was able to win this match," Sabalenka, who is yet to win a Grand Slam, said.

"I think because I'm staying really calm and I feel like I'm at home here, that's why I play really well. I haven't dropped a set yet. Hopefully, I'll keep going like that."

The Australian Open starts in less than two weeks.

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