Ons Jabeur burst into tears throughout her Abu Dhabi Open defeat on Friday. The world No. 6 left commentators baffled as she begin crying through the second set of her match in opposition to Beatriz Haddad Maia, finally going out 6-3 6-4.

Jabeur raised alarm bells as she crashed out of Abu Dhabi within the quarter-final. The second seed appeared flat in opposition to Haddad Maia after a statement opening victory against Emma Raducanu, which she won 6-4 6-1.

As Haddad Maia stepped as much as serve at 3-4 within the second set, having taken the opener 6-3, the Tunisian began crying. "Ons Jabeur in tears here," commentator Mikey Perera stated. Anne Keothavong added: "We did suspect something was up. No idea what though.

"Looked out of it within the opening set. Flat, disengaged and she or he discovered herself a set and 2-0 down however began to up her stage. On serve right here however in floods of tears."

Speculating whether the 29-year-old could be injured, Keothavong continued: "I can’t suppose what it is likely to be however she has type of slapped that proper thigh just a few instances." Perera echoed her claims that Jabeur looked out of sorts but was surprised to see the No. 2 seed in tears.

"Well we did form of suppose that she wasn't trying solely dialled in on this encounter," he said. "But I did not suppose it was something too severe however clearly is likely to be an issue right here for Ons Jabeur." If it was a physical issue, it wasn't enough to make Jabeur retire.

The five-time title winner continued to battle through some close games as she saved a break point before succumbing to the world No. 13. With Haddad Maia serving for the match, Jabeur continued to challenge her opponent and had three break points. But she couldn't convert them and the Brazilian advanced to the last four.

After Jabeur's defeat, Keothavong added: "Thoughts to Ons Jabeur who clearly struggled. We questioned her vitality ranges and her utility. Something clearly was up, we had tears from her in that second set. I’m certain she’ll be capable to clarify."

Haddad Maia also paid tribute to her opponent after the match, though she failed to address the world No. 6's tears. "Ons, as everyone is aware of, she’s a really good particular person, an important participant for girls’s tennis," she said. "She represents us very effectively. So initially I respect her loads due to that."