‘Holy heck’: Ajla Tomljanovic thrashes opponent, books quarterfinal berth

Serena Williams’ Aussie conqueror Ajla Tomljanovic has stunned the US all over again after romping to a career first at Flushing Meadows.

Hands off US, she's ours! Photo: Getty Images

The US may claim Ajla Tomljanovic as their own by the end of this week but the Flushing Meadows quarterfinalist is ours.

The World No. 46 Tomljanovic won over the US despite ending the career of tennis legend Serena Williams in the third round but had no such troubles against Russia’s Ludmilla Samsonova, winning 7-6 6-1 to book her first quarterfinal appearance at the US Open.

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Even stepping out on court against Samsonova in their fourth round clash, Tomljanovic was the clear crowd favourite as the fans gave her a brilliant reception.

After being taken into deep waters in the first set which went to a 10-8 result in the tie-break, Tomljanovic blew the world No. 35 off the court to book her place in the final eight.

With Nick Kyrgios winning his fourth round clash against World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, it’s the first time since Pat Cash and Wendy Turnbull in 1984 Australia has had a man and a woman both into the quarterfinals at the same time at the US Open.

“I came out pretty flat thinking the last 48 hours have been a lot but something within me was saying this is not where I stop,” Tomljanovic said after the match.

“I want to give it my all, even if I go down, but just with a little more fight. The fact that I won is still a little...speechless.”

Yeah Ajla, you really did it. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images/AFP

Tomljanovic’s fight was on display particularly in her service game at 4-5 in the first set, which went for nearly 20 minutes.

She saved seven set points and eight overall.

“I didn’t know that it was 20 minutes, which was great,” she said. “It does feel long but if I knew it was that long I probably would have panicked. I think it’s about staying in the moment because she played well and I don’t really have time to dwell because the game is going by quickly and I’m just trying to say as calm as possible.”

Tomljanovic said she deleted all her social media before playing Serena but that she had dipped back in after the clash “just to feel good about myself”.

The Aussie will play the winner of 5th seed Ons Jabeur and 18th seed Veronika Kudermetova.

As for the crowd, Tomljanovic had nothing but love.

“On Friday night, it was something I’ve never experienced in my life and even though not many of you were cheering for me, I still felt the love because it was all going to Serena and understandably so but I have love for you guys," she said.

The fans are loving Ajla. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images/AFP

But Tomljanovic has quickly become America’s favourite Aussie particularly after her classy acts to allow Williams to have her moment following her final match.

Racquet Magazine’s Ben Rothenberg tweeted: “Holy heck is that an impressive win by Ajla Tomljanovic, following up her huge win over Serena by beating Liudmila Samsonova, who was on a 13-match win streak.”

The Athletic’s Lukas Weese posted: “Ajla Tomljanovic continues the dream run at the #USOpen. She follows up her win against Serena to defeat Ludmilla Samsonova in straight sets 7-6 (8), 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. You absolutely LOVE to see it.”

New York Times reporter Christopher Clarey wrote: “Ajla Tomljanovic does a very difficult thing: comes back from a career win to win the next match. After ending Serena Williams’s career (maybe), she defeats Samsonova 7-6 (8), 6-1 to reach her first US Open quarterfinal”.

Back-to-back major quarterfinals for Ajla Tomljanovic for the first time and will improve to a new career-high ranking. What a summer for her

— D'Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) September 5, 2022

Backing up the Serena win, Tomljanovic rallies from down 2-5 1st set to win 7-6, 6-1. @Ajlatom#BeBrave 💪🏻 https://t.co/qgPRQff5TP

— Chris McKendry (@ChrisMcKendry) September 5, 2022