Ons Jabeur admits she’s feeling lucky this year as the talented Tunisian claimed a lucky loser spot for her maiden Roland Garros main draw after losing a tight three-setter to Miyu Kato earlier on Friday.
Jabeur had made the Charleston third round as a lucky loser last month and she has now been given a second chance to feature in the main draw of the French Open for the first time in her career.
The 22-year-old, who won the Roland Garros junior title in 2011, will open her campaign against Romanian qualifier Ana Bogdan.
“It was a little bit tough today as a match, she (Kato) was playing really good – I was not really expecting that level. I tried my best, was a little bit tight at the end. I had a little bit of weakness today because my serve and my forehand – one of my best shots – didn’t help me today,” Jabeur told Sport360°.
When the clay season’s got you down… Ons Jabeur in Paris today. pic.twitter.com/BNkBYEAM5g
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 26, 2017
“And then I got the news that I got in and I was really, really happy. I was jumping in the physio room. So for me it was amazing. And to play in Roland Garros main draw is something unbelievable because I already have history with this tournament to be for the first time in the women’s main draw it’s like a dream.
“So for me I got this second chance to be in the draw and I have to really do my best to win the first round and focus more and correct my mistakes.”
Jabeur, ranked No113 in the world, is closing in on becoming the first Arab woman to crack the top-100 since her compatriot Selima Sfar last achieved that feat in 2002.
She’s hoping she can take full advantage of her lucky loser spot and claim the first Grand Slam main draw win of her career.
“This is my second lucky loser this season and I did well in Charleston. Hopefully I’ll do better now. I feel a little bit lucky this year but also I missed some matches before so I think things are getting equal now. I’m going to take this chance to be better and do my best to achieve what I came here to achieve,” said Jabeur.
“I believe that this chance is not random, maybe God is sending me a message and giving me another chance to be ready for the next round.”
