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Australian Open day 3: Ajla Tomljanovic stuns with improbable comeback

Aussie star Ajla Tomljanovic has pulled off a ridiculous opening round comeback win to keep her Australian Open campaign alive.

James McKern, Alex Blair and James Dampney
14 min read
January 17, 2024 - 5:12AM
Kokkinakis admits to "serious" mental demons after first round win

The Austalian Open’s three-day first round finally ended in the early hours of Wednesday morning and it had been another solid day for the local contingent.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Max Purcell advanced on the men’s side, while returning Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic thrilled the home fans with a stunning comeback victory late on John Cain Arena.

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After Australia’s big hope Alex de Minaur booked his place in the second round on Monday night, some of his compatriots matched his achievement 24 hours later.

You can catch up on all the day three action right here.

Midnight - Staggering comeback by a returning Aussie

Ajla Tomljanovic has completed a sensational comeback to win her first round clash on John Cain Arena.

Straight after Thanasi Kokkinakis’ fighting victory on the same court, Tomljanovic battled back from an almost hopeless position to reach the second round.

After taking the first set in a tiebreak, the 30-year-old was then down 6-4 4-1 to Croatian Petra Martic.

“I really was out at one point,” Tomljanovic conceded afterwards. “I felt like she was toying with me.

Ajla Tomljanovic celebrates her huge comeback victory. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Ajla Tomljanovic celebrates her huge comeback victory. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

“I couldn’t hit a serve, but you guys never gave up. I thought if you’re here, I should give it my best.”

Coming from two breaks down in the deciding set, Tomljanovic turned the match on its head, winning five straight games to stun Martic.

“She really keeps you on your toes,” Tomljanovic said. “I never got settled, I couldn’t read her serve all the time. I really had to hang in there.

“There’s a bit of luck involved in tonight and I’ll take it.”

The win comes 12 months after a knee injury forced Tomljanovic to miss the 2023 Australian Open and she’ll face Jelena Ostapenko next up in round two.

Australian Open Day 3 results

Rod Laver Arena from 12pm (AEDT)

Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] defeated Sofia Kenin (USA) 7-6, 6-2

Holger Rune (DAN) [8] defeated Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4

From 7pm

Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [3] defeated Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 7-6, 6-4

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [2] defeated Richard Gasquet (FRA) 7-6, 6-1, 6-2

Margaret Court Arena from 12pm

Casper Ruud (NOR) [11] defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-1, 6-3, 6-1

Victoria Azarenka (RUS) [18] defeated Camila Giorgi (ITA) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

From 7pm

Alexander Zverev (GER) [6] defeated Dominik Koepfer (GER) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3

Jessica Pegula (USA) [5] defeated Rebecca Marino (CAN) 6-2, 6-4

John Cain Arena from 11am

Sloane Stephens (USA) defeated Olivia Gadecki (AUS) 6-3, 6-1

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [13] defeated Martin Fucsovics (HUN) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2

From 4pm

Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) defeated Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 7-6, 2-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6

Alja Tomljanovic (AUS) defeated Petra Martic (CRO) 7-6, 4-6, 6-4

Other Australians in action

Max Purcell defeated Mate Valkusz (HUN) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5

Alex Michelsen (USA) defeated James McCabe 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [11] defeated Kim Birrell 7-6, 6-1

9pm - Kokkinakis’ extreme relief after first-round win

He’s done it.

Thanasi Kokkinakis has battled back from two sets to one down to seal an intense five-set victory over Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

The tall Aussie battled to a 7-6 (7-1) 2-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-6 (10-8) triumph on John Cain Arena.

He was asked afterwards about the intensity of his matches.

“I wish I could do it easier but I can’t,” he said. “I’ve got the mental focus of a three-year-old.”

Read more here.

'Thanasi Kokkinakis reacts after his epic five-set win. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
'Thanasi Kokkinakis reacts after his epic five-set win. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

7.40pm - Kokkinakis back from the dead

Thanasi Kokkinakis dropped the third set in a tense tiebreak against Sebastian Ofner but found a second wind in the fourth, getting a double break on the Austrian and running away with it 6-1.

The match has entered the fifth set as both players sweat buckets in the thick Melbourne heat.

A half-empty stadium during Australian Open play on Tuesday.
A half-empty stadium during Australian Open play on Tuesday.

7pm - Zverev enters the arena

It’s an all-German affair at Margaret Court Arena tonight with World No. 6 Alex Zverev taking on countryman Dominik Koepfer. Standing a hair under two metres, Zverev has a significant height advantage in this match and will look to get his work done early to stay fresh for round two.

The 26-year-old has reached the semi-finals at Melbourne Park once before and will look to go deep in this year’s tournament with several big names out of the picture.

6.15pm - Ofner fights back

We have a game on our hands here.

Sebastian Ofner found his rhythm in the second set after Thanasi Kokkinakis dominated the tiebreak to take the first. The Austrian got an early break and ran away with the second 6-2.

Ofner has hit far more winners than Kokkinakis come the third set (41-19) but the Aussie has been out-serving the Austrian, landing more first serves and hitting 13 aces so far.

5.33pm - Kokkinakis takes the first set

Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis has taking a tight first set against Sebastian Ofner. The pair were neck and neck until the tiebreak, but Thanasi made quick work of the Austrian and gave up just one point before taking it 6-1.

The home crowd is well and truly behind the 27-year-old and gave an enormous cheer as he sealed the first.

But spectators noticed the arena was still half empty midway through the first set. One spectator said it was disappointing to see, given the fact a Nick Kyrgios match used to attract crowds that were forced to clamour for a seat.

Roughly 46,000 people have descended on Melbourne Park for day three, with that number set to soar as we get to the pointy end of the tournament.

4.24pm - Purcell triumphs

Aussie crowd favourite Max Purcell kicked himself back into gear after losing the first set to Máté Valkusz to take the next three sets to advance to the second round.

The final score was 3-6 7-6 6-4 7-5. He will now face 11th seed Casper Ruud for a shot at making his first ever third round appearance at a major.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Purcell. During the fourth set, a ballkid moved during a point and copped a spray on national TV.

“He’s literally in the serve, I’m watching the ball, kid’s just started walking off the court,” Purcell said.

“You see the ball girl? It’s your point (Valkusz), it’s fine. She’s picked up a drink bottle and started walking off the court. She’s walked over and around.”

Max Purcell wasn't pleased with the ballkid.
Max Purcell wasn't pleased with the ballkid.

“I’m sure the ball-kid there maybe thought the game was over, or just got confused over what stage of the point it was. He had a point but the umpire didn’t see it,” commentators explained.

Meanwhile, fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis has just arrived on court to face Austria’s Sebastian Ofner.

Australia's Max Purcell is through.
Australia's Max Purcell is through.

4.07pm - Dimitrov finishes it off

Grigor Dimitrov overcame his early jitters to take the second and third sets off Marton Fucsovics as the Melbourne heat began to take its toll.

Fucsovics hit some absolutely insane winners this afternoon, including a Federer-esque backhand drop shot that left the crowd and commentators speechless. But Dimitrov pushed on and completely schooled the Hungarian in the third set tiebreak 6-1.

Dimitrov showed his class in the fourth set and got the early break and closed out the match 6-2 in the final set.

He advances to the second round to face the winner of this afternoon’s clash between Sebastian Ofner and Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.

4pm - Casper Ruud is winning over Australia

Norway's Casper Ruud has advanced to the second round.
Norway's Casper Ruud has advanced to the second round.

Casper Ruud had the crowd giggling more than once after his commanding straight sets victory against Albert Ramos-Vinolas (6-1 6-3 6-1).

When asked if he was going to spend the rest of the day playing golf, the Norwegian said he had other, more pressing plans involving his new house.

“I don’t think there’s time to golf today. I actually have a zoom call with an interior architect tonight,” he said.

“I’m gonna have to prepare for that and think about other things. Fabric, colour, mixing, blah blah blah. It’s a bit different than tennis.”

Before exiting the arena, he did the obligatory sign-off on the camera lens, which also got a laugh from tennis fans.

3.50pm - Collins sends former World No. 1 packing

US star Danielle Collins has defeated former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber 6-2 3-6 6-1, setting up a second-round showdown with current No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Danielle Collins has defeated Angelique Kerber.
Danielle Collins has defeated Angelique Kerber.

2.08pm - Umpire shocker costs Aussie dearly

20-year-old Aussie James McCabe has been sent packing in the first round, going down in four sets 6-7 6-3 1-6 2-6 against 19-year-old Alex Michelsen from the US.

McCabe did well to steal the second set and hit 13 aces for the match, but lost steam as his teen opponent found his rhythm.

McCabe was left rubbing his eyes in disbelief at particularly frustrating moment from the umpire when she called “game Michelsen” after he hit a low return.

The umpire believed the ball had bounced twice, but replays showed he had made the shot with the ball inches from the ground.

Michelsen hit just under 80 per cent of his first serves compared to McCabe’s 69 per cent and converted more crucial break points throughout the match.

He will play World No. 32 Jiri Lehecka in the second round.

Aussie James McCabe robbed by blatantly wrong call in Open

1.30pm - Dmitrov on the back foot

Grigor Dmitrov, former World No. 3 and 2017 semi-finalist, has dropped the first set to Márton Fucsovics 4-6.

The 32-year-old Bulgarian was far from his best, winning just one of 10 points off second serves as Fucsovics took control.

Fucsovics’ best result at a major came in 2021 when he made the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He has a career high rating of 31 and has reached the Australian Open fourth round on two occasions.

Meanwhile, Aussie Max Purcell has just begun his match against Máté Valkusz on the Show Court Arena.

1.26pm - Swiatek roars back

Polish sensation and world number 1 Iga Swiatek took an early punch from American Sofia Kenin this morning on Rod Laver Arena before hitting back.

Kenin, 25, who is ranked 38 in the world, took it to her more fancied opponent and broke serve in the opening game of the match.

The American served for the first set but was broken by Swiatek, who went on to win the first set in a tie-break.

Swiatek, 22, is looking to win her fifth grand slam and first down under.

1.15pm - Bizarre hold-up

Marton Fucsovics was ordered to change shirts.
Marton Fucsovics was ordered to change shirts.

Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov was forced to wait to begin his tournament over a bizarre hold-up.

There was a brief delay at John Cain Arena as Hungarian veteran Marton Fucsovics was ordered to change his shirt before the first-round match could begin.

The issue appeared to be the number of logos visible on Fucsovics’ top – players are not restricted when it comes to the advertising of approved tennis clothing manufacturers on their kit, but can only display up to two commercial logos of a certain size.

Fucsovics was allowed to continue the warm-up in the illicit shirt as his team retrieved another for him to wear in the match.

The intervention from the official did the 31-year-old no harm as he claimed an early break over Dimitrov, the 13th seed.

- with NCA Newswire

12.35pm - Tennis great slams Osaka’s fitness

Tennis great Martina Navratilova has criticised Naomi Osaka after she was smashed in straight sets by Caroline Garcia yesterday. Navratilova, who won 18 major singles titles in her day, said Osaka needs to “put in the yards” to get her fitness back in check to win major tournaments again.

“Tennis-wise, it was maybe a B-plus performance. But overall a C, because she couldn’t get to the ball. She’s not in shape,” she said in an interview with the Tennis Channel.

“I’m surprised she played this tournament without clearly being in the tip top shape she needs to be in.

“She was stretched out way too much and she didn’t have a break point. That tells you all you need to know about that match.”

Japan's Naomi Osaka takes part in a press conference after losing her women's singles match on day two.
Japan's Naomi Osaka takes part in a press conference after losing her women's singles match on day two.

Osaka opened up after the defeat and admitted to being disappointed at the result, pointing the finger at not feeling like herself as her return to the game builds up.

“The competitor in me is not happy that I’m not winning these matches (but) I think I just need to work hard and play a lot more matches and then hopefully my dreams will come true,” Osaka said.

“I thought it was a really good match for me and I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do.

“I mean, I still feel like a bit disappointed – I don’t know if I’m disappointed in myself – I don’t think that’s possible because I really feel like I couldn’t have done more with the circumstances.

“I thought I kept doing better as the match went on.”

12.20pm - Stephens defeats Aussie wildcard

Aussie wildcard Olivia Gadecki started well against former world number 3 Sloane Stephens on John Cain Arena, breaking the American’s serve in the first game before taking a 2-0 lead.

But it was all down hill from there for the Aussie who lost the following five games to drop the first set, 6-3.

She went down in straight sets in 56 minutes, losing 6-3, 6-1 despite a raucous home crowd in the “people’s court”.

The win breaks a hoodoo of sorts for Sloane who has failed to get out of the first round of the Australian Open in seven of her past eight appearances.

- Rohan Smith at Melbourne Park

11.30am - Ugly curse hanging over American star

American tennis star Sloane Stephens has kicked off her 2024 Australian Open campaign, but has a bizarre curse hovering over her head.

The 30-year-old former world number three has endured a torrid run of form Down Under.

Having won the US Open in 2017 and reaching the final of the French Open in 2018, Stephens’ record at the Australian Open makes for bleak reading.

In seven of her past eight appearances at Melbourne Park, the American has been knocked out in the opening round.

The last time she advanced further came in 2019 when she reached the fourth round.

10.30am – Demon can pull off deep AO run

Alex de Minaur is different this year, according to one of the people who knows him best.

The 10th seed at this year’s Australian Open, who moved through to the second round on Monday night after Milos Raonic retired with an injury in the third set, is showing a different side of himself.

“I would say in the locker room and from talking to him he seems more calm than I’ve seen him coming into an Australian Open,” John Millman told SEN on Tuesday morning.

“I think that calmness is confidence. It’s confidence in his game and confidence in his ability and confidence (that he belongs) in the top 10.”

Asked about the pressure of being the top ranked Australian after his match ended with him in front 6-7, 6-3, 2-0, de Minaur said he hasn’t changed at all.

“Probably the only thing that has changed is now that I am at the ranking that I am there’s probably a little more hype around me,” he said.

“But saying that, I haven’t changed the slightest. For me, I still enjoy every moment I’m here. It’s a blessing starting the year in Australia, playing in front of home fans.

“I don’t really associate playing in Australia as nerve-wrecking or more pressure. In fact, I associate it with just excitement.”

9.30am – WAGs set pulses racing at Australian Open

While all eyes are on the action unfolding, the stunning wives and girlfriends of the stars are stealing the limelight away from the courts.

On Monday night several of the big name partners in attendance at the Australian Open got together for a Bondi Sands event at QT Rooftop.

Left to right: Paige Lorenze, Ayan Broomfield, Morgan Riddle, Costeen Hatzi and Hannah Dal Sasso. Picture: Tony Gough
Left to right: Paige Lorenze, Ayan Broomfield, Morgan Riddle, Costeen Hatzi and Hannah Dal Sasso. Picture: Tony Gough

Paige Lorenze, partner of Tommy Paul; Ayan Broomfield, partner of Frances Tiafoe; Morgan Riddle, partner of Taylor Fritz; Costeen Hatzi, partner of Nick Kyrgios and Hannah Dal Sasso, partner of Thanasi Kokkinakis came together in the all white dress code.

Riddle has become the biggest social media star on the circuit as she shares behind the scenes footage of her journey alongside Fritz.

“I love it here, it’s the best time of year in Australia and everyone is off work and enjoying Summer,’’ Riddle said.

“There’s such good energy and I love how much people love the sport here.”

9am – Aussie’s defence over ‘woke’ outburst

Australian star Jordan Thompson has defended his mid-match outburst that saw him label the Australian Open as “the wokest tournament ever”.

Thompson lost his cool during his opening round match against fellow countrymen Aleksandar Vukic over a new rule that was introduced ahead of the 2024 grand slam.

Fans at Melbourne Park are given more freedom to come and go as they please under the new rules which allow them to move into seats between games.

Previously fans were only allowed to enter or leave their seats during a change of ends.

His frustration boiled over during the second set as his rhythm was disrupted as he prepared to serve while up 3-1 with fans continuing to walk into Court 3.

“You’re kidding me, really? Oh my god,” he said. “This is the wokest tournament ever.”

Thompson isn’t a fan of the new rule. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Thompson isn’t a fan of the new rule. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Following his five-set victory, Thompson moved to clarify his outburst during his post match press conference.

“Heat of the battle. Probably shouldn’t have said it,” Thompson said of the “woke” comment.

“Yeah, there is a few things that concerned me, but we won’t go into that.

He continued: “How many years which have we been playing tennis, and then all of a sudden they spring on us that they can come in between not even a sitdown. So it just disrupts everyone’s rhythm.

“I mean, if someone is walking at the back and you are throwing the ball toss up, it’s impossible to see it because you have a moving person behind it.

“Yeah, it’s, in my opinion, it’s not good. I’m choosing my words carefully.

“I just don’t understand why we would do that. We are out there working, that’s our job, we’re tennis players. We don’t come in and storm into an office while someone is in a meeting.

“Like someone is just barging through the door, making a nuisance. Even though it doesn’t seem that way, but it is. It’s very off-putting. That’s one thing you can compare it to.”

World number one Novak Djokovic voiced his displeasure to the changes as he vented during his first round contest against Dino Prizmic.

Djoker wasn’t happy. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)
Djoker wasn’t happy. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

“Look, I mean, I understand the motive behind it is to enhance and improve the experience for fans, right?” Djokovic said.

“We do play for fans. We want fans to have a great, thrilling experience of being out on the court.

“It’s hard, I must say. I understand that and I support it to some extent, but at the same time all my career, all my life I’ve been used to some kind of atmosphere. When that changes, it kind of messes up (and) distracts you a bit.”

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley responded to the criticism surrounding the rule change.

“What we’ve said is we want fans to sit in their seats when play is on – that’s the expectation coming into the stadium and that’s always been the case. And that hasn’t changed this year either,” Tiley told Channel 9.

“What we have done is try to get their fans into their seats quicker – the worst situation you can have as a fan is waiting outside the stadium for three games, for five games, you could be waiting for up to 20-30 minutes before you get in.

“We don’t want that for the fans either.

“There’s been no rule change other than trying to get the fans into the stadium as quickly as possible.

“The fans know, that come and watch tennis, when you’re in your seat the idea is not to disrupt play.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-day-3-live-updates-star-explains-woke-outburst/news-story/83f38c3d5028786be60cded8a548592a