Ajla Tomljanovic back in world’s top 100 after taking Hong Kong title

There are now two Aussie women in the world’s top 100 after Ajla Tomljanovic snared a title in Hong Kong.

Ajla Tomljanović claimed her first title of the year at the Hong Kong Open. Picture: Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

Australian Ajla Tomljanovic is set to return to the top 100 for the first time since injury derailed her 2023 campaign after winning her second career WTA 125 title in Hong Kong.

Tomljanovic, 31, will jump to 86 in the rankings, just two spots behind Australian No.1 Olivia Gadecki, having fallen outside the top 500 after being forced on the sidelines for most of 2023.

She came from a set down in the final to defeat Danish No.6 seed Clara Tauson 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to win a tournament that featured grand slam champion Simona Halep and American world No.8 Emma Navarro.

“This one felt so good,” Tomljanovic said after her victory.

🏆 WTA 125 Hong Kong Singles Champion

A week where 🇦🇺 Ajla Tomljanovic wins her 2nd 125 singles title and takes her place back inside the top 100 ( +21 rankings spots to 86) for the first time since August last year after a tough run with injury. #TheFirstServepic.twitter.com/1ihxq6dBxX

— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) October 6, 2024

In 2023, her ranking plummeted well outside the top 500 after being sidelined by a knee injury.

The win was Tomljanovic’s second on her comeback trail, having won her maiden 125 title in Florianópolis, Brazil, last November.

Tomljanovic and Gadecki remain the only Australian women in the top 100 on the WTA’s live rankings.

Tomljanovic will next play in the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan, China, with her first match against Spanish world No.15 Paula Badosa.