After securing seeded wins over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Danielle Collins in warm-up tournaments before the Australian Open, the Tunisian headed to Melbourne full of confidence.

She then achieved her best result at the event since 2021, as Jabeur lost to Emma Navarro in the third round, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6.

Heading to the Middle East, Jabeur was beaten by Elena Rybakina in the Abu Dhabi quarter-finals, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7.

She then made the 370-mile trip to Doha for the year’s first WTA 1000 event and immediately enjoyed real success.

Having taken down McCartney Kessler in the first round, Jabeur secured her highest-ranked win since 2023, as she knocked out China’s Qinwen Zheng in straight sets.

Playing for a place in the Qatar Open quarter-finals, Jabeur took on an opponent she has struggled against recently.

Ons Jabeur says Sofia Kenin’s game ‘really bothers’ her after reaching Qatar Open quarter-finals

Jabeur beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the last 16 of the Qatar Open, 6-3, 6-4, and gave her thoughts on the American after the match.

“She [Sofia Kenin] plays unbelievable, and her game really bothers me,” said Jabeur.

“So I’m very happy to get my revenge from last time, last time was very close so I’m hoping to play better in the next round.”

Kenin beat Jabeur in their most recent encounter at the Italian Open last May in a three-set thriller, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

The 30-year-old then looked ahead to her quarter-final match, where she will face off against another former Major champion.

“She’s [Jelena Ostapenko] definitely coming for her revenge, she’s a very tough player, she’s unbelievable,” said Jabeur.

Jabeur’s last win over the Latvian star came just nine days ago in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Open.

“It’s going to be a match full of energy and emotions but definitely a great battle,” she said.

Jabeur then thanked the crowd, who have been proudly supporting the Tunisian star in Doha.

“They were singing happy songs, so thank you guys,” she said.

“It’s a pleasure to be here, and a pleasure to play in Qatar.

“As I always say, this tournament believes in me so I really put my heart onto the court because I really want to win this one.”

Jabeur has now reached her third Qatar Open quarter-final, having failed to reach the semi-finals in both 2020 and 2022.

How badly does Sofia Kenin’s game ‘bother’ Ons Jabeur?

The former world number two said that Sofia Kenin’s game ‘really bothered’ her, but just how badly has she struggled against the American star?

Jabeur and Kenin have now played one another nine times on the WTA Tour, with the head-to-head very much in favor of the former Australian Open champion.

Kenin leads the head-to-head, 6-3, and perhaps more impressively, has won both of their meetings at the Grand Slam level.

She took down Jabeur in straight sets on her way to the Australian Open title five years ago, 6-4, 6-4.

Having secured her first win over Kenin in four years, Jabeur will now look forward to her quarter-final match with Ostapenko, on Thursday, February 13.