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

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."

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Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)

FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm

Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm

Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm

Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm

Thursday

Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm

Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm

FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm

Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer