Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur stormed into the doubles semi-finals at the Eastbourne International and fans are loving the duo’s new nickname. 

Having won her first competitive tennis match in more than a year on Tuesday, Williams was far more clinical this around and served brilliantly against Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching. 

Together with world number three Jabeur, the pair made light work of their opponents –– sealing a 6-2 6-4 victory. 

Afterwards, Williams announced that she and Jabeur will be known as “Onsrena” from now on –– prompting some hilarious responses on social media. 

Fans loving the duo

In a video posted by the WTA on Twitter, Williams and Jabeur can be seen speaking to the camera and joking about their new nickname. 

“Hi everyone, it’s Onsrena,” says the 23-time major champion. 

Jabeur responds: “Yeah, love the name. Thank you everyone for the support. Really appreciate it. We’re having so much fun.” 

Understandably, fans are loving the video. One user wrote: “I think Serena is so lucky to have Ons.” 

Meanwhile, another said: “Great effort from them both. Missed a trick not going with ‘Willbeur’.”

A third stressed: “This is so awesome. Just invite Serena to Tunisia! She needs to go there for [a] vacation.” 

Jabeur and Williams’ partnership blossoming 

Jabeur and Williams had never played together before this tournament, but the Tunisian stressed she had no doubts whatsoever about playing with the former world number one. 

“Before, we just talked a little bit and we never really talked tennis,” Jabeur said. “She was just very nice and I love her kid so much and I saw Olympia, she was so cute and I said ‘she is really cute.’ But it was Eric, Venus’ coach, who was with her –– he was playing here and he asked if I would consider doubles.

“I didn’t take a second to think about it. It was an obvious ‘yes’.”

The pair survived match points in their opening match, though they looked far more accomplished in their quarter-final tie. 

“I think we played together much better today,” said Williams. “Although I thought we played really good together yesterday, too. Ons really held me up today, she was really playing so good. I was looking at her like, ‘Wow, this is great.’”

Next up, the duo will face Aleksandra Krunic and Magda Linette. 

How well is Serena playing? 

In truth, Williams looks a shadow of the player she once was, but on current evidence, she appears more than capable of winning tennis matches. 

Indeed, at one stage of her quarter-final, the American reeled off three aces in a row, much to the delight of the crowd.

It’s unclear at this stage how much playing doubles will help her with singles, however, Williams will just be happy to get some competitive matches under her belt in the build-up to Wimbledon.