‘Off the charts’: Ajla Tomljanovic loses in ‘heartbreaking’ United Cup blow

Top seeded Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic has been left stunned in a brutal loss to a former World No. 1, snatching defeat after a huge comeback.

It was a game so good it was a shame there was a loser. Photo: Getty Images

Australia’s United Cup campaign is hanging on by a thread after Ajla Tomljanovic lost her match against former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber.

Tomljanovic, who is returning from a horror run of injuries that derailed her 2023 campaign, was coming up against Kerber, who hadn’t won a match since mid-2022, after taking time off to have a baby.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

The three-time grand slam winner had a tough lead-in to the semis with three straight loses heading into the semi-finals, while the Aussie had faced her own challenges, winning her first match in Australia’s quarterfinal win over Serbia.

But despite the lack of victories in the competition between the two and lack of competitive matches over the past year, fans were blown away in the quality on display by the pair.

The 4-6 6-2 7-6 showed just how tight the match was, sealed 9-7 in the third-set tie-break.

Tomljanovic got off to an electric start, running out to a 5-1 lead before being broken but closing out the set.

Kerber took the momentum into the third set, claiming an immediate break.

But the twists weren’t done yet as Tomljanovic broke back at 4-3 to put the match back on serve, but Kerber broke again, forcing the Aussie to break back at 6-5 to force the tie-break.

In a tense tie-break, Tomljanovic earned two match points but Kerber responded, claiming the final three points of the match to claim her first victory since Wimbledon 2022.

The former champ is back. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

While there can be only one winner, fans loved what they saw from the high quality match up between two returning stars.

Oh, heart-breaking for Tomljanovic and #TeamAustralia but what a match! #UnitedCup

— Robyn (@flutter_rob) January 6, 2024

Kerber v Tomljanovic is fantastic, ball striking off the charts. #UnitedCup

— Laurence Rosen (@LaurenceRosen) January 6, 2024

Tomljanovic v Kerber

This match has everything 👌#UnitedCup

— Fergal (@Fergal_Tennis) January 6, 2024

Captivating tennis on display from Tomljanovic and Kerber #UnitedCup

— Annemarëe Meyer (@annemaree_meyer) January 6, 2024

That Kerber v Tomljanovic tennis match was a real WOW game played at the highest level. Well done to both girls.

— David Phelan (@SixlitreHSV) January 6, 2024

So close but so far for Tomljanovic. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Commentator and former Aussie star Casey Dellacqua was blown away by the match.

“It was an incredible match, so nerve-racking,” she said on Nine.

“You could tell it meant so much to each players for different reasons. Angelique Kerber, desperate for a win. Had three losses at the United Cup. Her resilience to come out here and put on a performance like be that is incredible.

“But Ajla obviously desperate to win for Australia but also personally having had that knee injury last year. It was so crucial for her that she came out an put in a good performance. It was so unfortunate there in the end where she made a couple of forehand errors.

“But what a match and what a way to kick off the Summer of Tennis.”

The result sees Australia needing World No. 12 Alex de Minaur to continue his giant-killing ways against World No. 7 Alexander Zverev, having defeated both World No. 10 Taylor Fritz and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament.

Australia will need to win both the men’s singles and mixed doubles to earn a place in the final against Poland, who swept France 3-0 earlier on Saturday.