Fri Feb 07 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Rybakina Edges Out Jabeur in Thrilling Abu Dhabi Quarterfinal

**Abu Dhabi, UAE** – Defending champion Elena Rybakina survived a grueling three-set battle against Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open on Thursday, securing a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4) victory. The match, the fifth three-setter in their six career encounters, saw both players display exceptional skill, with Jabeur hitting more winners (43 to Rybakina’s 29). Despite the higher winner count and equal unforced errors (42 each), Rybakina prevailed, winning the final five points of the match to advance to the semifinals.

The closely contested third set saw Rybakina overcome a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreak after saving two match points for Jabeur. Rybakina credited her win to perseverance, stating, “It was an extremely difficult match. Ons played really well…I’m really happy that I managed to win.” The victory extends Rybakina’s winning streak at the event to six matches.

Rybakina will face Belinda Bencic in the semifinals. Bencic, a former champion in Abu Dhabi, defeated Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets in Thursday’s earlier quarterfinal. This sets up a compelling clash between two strong players as Rybakina aims for her second consecutive Abu Dhabi final. The article also briefly mentions Madison Keys’ recent Grand Slam victory, though this information is unrelated to the main event described.

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