The last eight is all set in Eastbourne after Wednesday’s order of play which featured the full slate of third round matches at the 2019 Nature Valley International. It seemed to be a mostly uneventful day that finished with a repeat of last year’s final and a thrilling third set tiebreak. I’ll likely be busy for the next two evenings so will be back at the weekend to wrap up Eastbourne and start preparing for Wimbledon! Read on for Wednesday’s Set Points from Eastbourne…

Match reviews 🎾

Ons Jabeur d. Johanna Konta, 6-3 6-2 (R2)

Ons Jabeur scored the best win of her year with a stunning display to beat Johanna Konta in straight sets. I don’t think Konta played a bad match at all, ending with a postive winners to unforced errors differential. Jabeur peaked midway through the second set with some fantastic forehands. Perhaps Konta fed the forehand side a bit too much but this win was all about Jabeur.

Aryna Sabalenka d. Caroline Wozniacki, 2-6 6-4 7-6(5)

Where to start with this one… it was a bizarre match where neither played particularly well during large patches but it did have an absorbing conclusion as Sabalenka saved a match point and won with an amazing forehand passing shot winner that floored her!

Sabalenka began in subdued mood, pushing the ball and with no intensity whatsoever. When Sabalenka did start to play a bit better, Wozniacki struggled to react. The Dane had a real slump on serve in the second set. Wozniacki regrouped in the decider with much better serving (and some help from missed returns by Sabalenka) to get to 5-2 in the third set.

Wozniacki’s lone match point came at 5-4 where she double faulted. The Dane produced a couple of double faults at crucial times. While it was an up-and-down display from Sabalenka, you can’t fault her fight as her intensity gradually increased during the match and she played her best stuff at the end. Sabalenka, who has had some tough losses this year and generally struggled for confidence, twice served to stay in it and then finally converted on her third match point with a screaming passing shot winner in the third set tiebreak.

Was this *the* win for Sabalenka to turn her season around? Definitely felt like a huge win for Aryna.

Stat watch 🔢

Sabalenka has saved match points in BOTH her victories over Caroline Wozniacki!

Hot shot of the day 🔥

Impressive from Polona Hercog to recover in this point after slipping and dropping her racquet.

Favourite snap 📸

Nice shots of Simona Halep during her three set win over Polona Hercog today in Eastbourne.

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Tomorrow’s OOP ⭐

At least with Thursday’s schedule, they’ve picked the best two quarters for Centre including a blockbuster clash between Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep 🔥🔥🔥.

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