Ons Jabeur faces Coco Gauff later today, in a blockbuster clash that headlines the day of action in Berlin.
In what is a stacked WTA 500 event, which still has Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka in it, few could possibly predict who will come out on top to claim the title.
However, there would be little surprise if the winner of the aforementioned clash goes on to win the whole thing.
Jabeur is a grass-court specialist, whilst Gauff is seemingly only improving as the year goes on.
It promises to be an intense tactical battle, but the former seemingly has one trick up her sleeve to cause the 20-year-old some issues.
Ons Jabeur reveals her plan to stop Coco Gauff today
Speaking to WTA Tennis, after her two impressive victories to reach the quarter-finals, we are set to enjoy a repeat of the French Open’s quarter-final draw.
There, on a surface that arguably favours Gauff, it was the Tunisian who shockingly took the one-set lead.
However, her inability to maintain such monstrous intensity told, and in the end, she was easily beaten.
Now, assessing her chances of thriving in Berlin, she has partially revealed the game plan she intends to use to thwart her American opponent.
She noted: ‘I think she likes slower surfaces. She likes to have her time. But a champion is always a champion. I’m sure she’ll play unbelievable on grass.
‘What I like more on grass is I can use my magic a little bit, the touch, the slices. I feel I can bother a little bit Coco with that.’
This claim, funnily enough, comes after Ons Jabeur admitted she was jealous of Coco Gauff, and what she got to do in her training recently.
Could Ons Jabeur really trouble Coco Gauff in Berlin?
As aforementioned, it was the intensity that Jabeur failed to maintain in their Roland Garros encounter that thwarted her, as during that first set there only looked like there would be one winner.
She forced the issue, and was pummelling the ball past her, clearly upping her game to combat the clay.
But now, shifting onto the grass, the 29-year-old’s favoured surface, the dynamic will shift dramatically.
Now, her patented drop shots will be far more effective, and those powerful groundstrokes will fly far faster than they did on the dirt.
Ironically enough, their only meeting on grass came at this very event two years earlier, and Jabeur strolled to success before winning the title. Gauff has naturally improved since then, and does boast a 5-2 lead in their head-to-head match-up, but she is still yet to thwart Jabeur on this surface.
It is expected that she will struggle to do so again today…
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