Ajla Tomljanović gets ‘sweet’ revenge on Ashlyn Krueger at Australian Open
Veteran Ajla Tomljanović secured “sweet” revenge on a player she lost to just nine days ago to book her place in the second round of the Australian Open for the sixth time. The 31-year-old held off fast-finishing American Ashlyn Krueger, prevailing in a nerve-wracking three-setter, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The Australian led 4-0 in the deciding set before the 20-year-old – who beat Tomljanović in qualifiers for Adelaide just over a week ago – broke back, setting up a tense final few games. After errors on her first two match points, the Australian finally sealed the victory over her 52nd-ranked opponent after 144 minutes on a sunny day in Melbourne.
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“Sometimes you can do everything in the preparation, but it really matters how you come out here and deal with everything that comes your way,” Tomljanović said. “I thought I played against a really tricky player, and having lost to her last week, it felt sweet to play again and get another chance.”
Tomljanović was given a wildcard for the Australian Open after struggling with a knee injury in recent months, but appeared untroubled as she elevated her game in the final set.
“I felt like I needed to be a bit more aggressive and be the one dictating the point,” Tomljanović said. “Because since we play similarly, I think we both don’t like when we are pushed, but it still got tricky in the end even with the 4-0 lead, so just really grateful to be through.”
The former world No 33 now meets 12th-seed Diana Shnaider for the chance to reach the third round at Melbourne Park for the first time.
Twenty-year-old Talia Gibson became the first Australian to reach the second round after she won her first match in the main draw of a grand slam earlier on Monday. She wrested control of the contest against Turkish world No 94 Zeynep Sönmez in the second set and cruised through the decider to win 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
The 150th-ranked wildcard meets Spanish 11th seed Paula Badosa in the second round.
Australians Daria Saville, Adam Walton, Omar Jasika and Li Tu were all defeated on day one.