Tunisian Anas Jaber, ranked fifth in the world, is counting on a strong serve from left-handed American legend Serena Williams to complete her path to the US Open title, her last Grand Slam, after advancing to the quarter-finals at the time. The first.

Jabeur beat Russian No. 18 Veronika Kudretova 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to become the first African player to reach the quarter-finals in New York since South Africa’s Amanda Koetzer in 1998.

After winning, she said: “It was a very difficult match, the score was 5-2, and it was very difficult for me to play it, but I had to put up with it in the beginning and keep going. I didn’t play badly, but in the end things started to improve. I should have won 6-3 but this is tennis and I’m happy that I managed to win the match.”

She then faces Australian Alia Tomlyanovic, who knocked Williams out of the third round in her last game for the American before her first retirement.

Jaber and Serena became friends and played doubles at Eastbourne last June and trained together at Flushing Meadows ahead of its launch.

Jaber then said, “Serena, when you leave, can I have your serve?” And in response to the question of whether I took it from her after she miraculously sent in the match, she said with a smile in an interview on the field: “It seems she left me a pitch, she sent at important moments, such as Serena , this is incredible,” she joked, “and to the fans I want to say one thing, I play Ayla, and she hits Serena like this…”

The 28-year-old added: “If you don’t play well, it will be a physical match. You will hit strong balls, so I have to be physically ready.”

While Wimbledon runner-up hopes to become the first African player to win the title in New York after reaching the first major final of his career in London this year, Jaber aims to continue to inspire the sons and daughters of his continent.

In this regard, she said: “One of my favorite tournaments as a child was the African Championships, and I know how many boys want to be here. It’s great, you have to believe in yourself and work hard to be here.”

She added: “I dream of more African players playing tennis.”