'OnSerena' partnership flourishes as Williams and Jabeur advance in Eastbourne

American great and Tunisian star enter doubles semi-finals

Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur defeated Shuko Aoyama and Hao-Ching in their women's doubles quarter-final in Eastbourne on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. AP

USA's Serena Williams continued his winning comeback with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in Eastbourne. AFP

Winners Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur, back right, congratulate Japan's Shuko Aoyama, left, and Tawain's Chan Hao-ching in Eastbourne. AFP

Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur celebrate their win over Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching in Eastbourne. AFP

Serena Williams continued his winning comeback from injury in Eastbourne. PA

Serena Williams returns the ball during the women's doubles quarter-final in Eastbourne on Wednesday. AP

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 22, 2022 Serena Williams of the U. S. and Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrate winning their doubles quarter final match against Japan's Shuko Aoyama and Taiwan's Hao-Ching Chan Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers

Serena Williams serves in Eastbourne. AP

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur during the quarter-final. Reuters

Serena Williams stepped up her comeback as the American star powered to a second successive win in the Eastbourne doubles with her partner Ons Jabeur on Wednesday.

Williams and Tunisia's Jabeur defeated Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon warm-up event at Devonshire Park.

The doubles team made it two from two with Williams able to fire a warning to her rivals with flashes of brilliance. The American great produced several aces and winners, especially at the net, despite shadows gathering at Devonshire Park to show the 23-time Grand Slam champion may just be a contender at SW19 next week.

Williams is playing her first tournament since she made a tearful, injury-enforced exit from Wimbledon last year.

It took only two minutes for the American to send down an ace before several clinical volleys provided the first break. The opening set was wrapped up in 25 minutes and another break inspired by Williams in the ninth game of the second set put them on the brink of victory.

"I don't know if you know the team name? It's 'OnSerena'!" Williams said of her partnership with Jabeur, who had never played with the American until this week.

"I have had some really good training leading up to Wimbledon and up to this tournament, really hitting the ball well. I feel like I have been serving well so that's been really good.

"It was actually good match play and match practice, which is exactly what I needed. I couldn't have asked for more."

Williams had admitted on Tuesday that she had doubts if she would ever make it back after her injury lay-off, but has found form at just the right time with Wimbledon on the horizon.

"I will always enjoy the competitive side. There is a part of me that will always miss it, no matter what happens," she said.

"I was just recovering and taking time off, just taking mental breaks. Now when I'm back, it's like, especially this match in particular, OK, you really remember the competitiveness."

After missing the deadline to enter Wimbledon, 'OnSerena' will not grace the All England Club as a pair next week but more events could be on the horizon with their semi-final tie set for Friday.

Jabeur insisted: "We played much better. I think we are getting used to each other now. I am ready for more tournaments to be honest with you."