By SABC Sport
5th July 2024
Football fan Jabeur eased past American qualifier Robin Montgomery to set up a clash with Elina Svitolina on Saturday, a match which could be on a show court and clash with the Three Lions' 5pm kick-off against Switzerland.
After the world number 10 found time to watch Jude Bellingham's late equaliser in England's comeback win over Slovakia last Sunday and Portugal's dramatic penalty shoot-out success, the 29-year-old is hopeful of seeing more Euros action this weekend.
"I've been watching a lot of the matches," Jabeur revealed after a 6-1 7-5 victory on Court Two.
"A bit disappointed with some matches. I thought it was going to be more exciting.
"I was watching Portugal last time. When Cristiano (Ronaldo) missed the penalty, I was crying with him because I love him so much.
"I watched England when they came back. I was really stressed. I wanted them to win. The last-minute scoring is unbelievable. Jude, how you can take the risk on that ball.
"Yeah, I'm a huge football fan and I hope I can get the chance to watch (England).
"I feel like I really created a great connection with the crowd here. It's, like, pure love. Like nothing behind it. It's people, like, supporting me.
"Maybe they don't follow a lot of tennis, maybe they follow tennis, I don't know. For me, it felt sincere. I felt a great energy that comes from them. I'm someone that relies on energy."
Jabeur's last-32 clash with Svitolina is one of the best third-round ties in the top half of the female draw, which still contains world number one Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina after day-four triumphs.
Swiatek breezed through against Petra Martic 6-4 6-3 inside 83 minutes on Centre Court, but Rybakina's progress was far from straightforward.
Fourth seed Rybakina was on court for two hours and 12 minutes before she eventually downed Laura Siegemund in three sets.
She will face Caroline Wozniacki in the next round after the 33-year-old knocked out 30th seed Leylah Fernandez in a three-set clash that started on Court 12 and ended under Court One's roof.
Jessica Pegula, the fifth seed, was a high-profile casualty after she lost 6-4 6-7 (7) 6-1 to Wang Xinyu.
China's Wang will take on British number two Harriet Dart in the third round after she got the better of compatriot Katie Boulter.
Earlier in the day, home favourite Lily Miyazaki lost 6-0 6-0 to Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina, who will face Paula Badosa next after the Spaniard strolled past Brenda Fruhvirtova in two sets.