Ajla Tomljanovic ready to put January pressure to good use

Ajla Tomljanovic reckons being an Australian tennis player in January is a blessing or a curse – depending on your outlook.

Ajla Tomljanovic hits a return to Yulia Putintseva during her first-round win at the Adelaide International. Picture: AFP

Ajla Tomljanovic reckons being an Australian tennis player in January is a blessing or a curse – depending on your outlook.

“You can look at it as good pressure or bad pressure,” Tomljanovic said after winning her first-round match on Monday at the Adelaide International.

“I choose just to see it as the best thing possible.”

Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Tomljanovic cashed in on her wildcard status in Adelaide with a slick performance against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, winning 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

The reward for the world No 52 is a meeting with second-seeded Romanian and reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.

The Croatian-born Tomljanovic was granted Australian citizenship two years ago, having started competing in 2014 for her adopted country.

And she is ready to be adopted again by Australian tennis fans, both in Adelaide and at the Australian Open next week Melbourne.

“No matter how bad you’re playing, they’re going to cheer for you,” the 26-year-old said.

“All you have got to do is go out there and fight – just do your best really.

“They (Australians) love that fighting spirit, just to see you give it your all. That goes well with my personality.”

Tomljanovic rated Monday’s win on centre court at Memorial Drive as a bonus, having set her sights on purely gaining touch ahead of the Open in Melbourne.

“You always want to peak in the third tournament of January,” she said. “I’m still hoping I’m saving my best for Melbourne but it’s always nice to get wins and just feel good about your tennis.”

Tomljanovic will be joined in the second round by the tournament’s fourth seed, Belinda Bencic, who’s accounted for Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-4 6-4.

The Swiss 22-year-old, a wildcard entry who lost her opening match of the year last week in Shenzhen, beat good friend Daria Kasatkina of Russia 6-4 6-4.

Bencic, who had lost her last two matches against the qualifier, overcame hot conditions at Memorial Drive as she makes final preparations for Melbourne.

She survived a first set against Kasatkina featuring five breaks of serve and secured her second-round place with a break in the final game of the second.

“It was very difficult, but I like the heat and I’m happy to be here for the first time,” said Bencic, who soared up the rankings last year and won two titles, in Moscow and Dubai, on her way to a career-best 49 main draw match wins.

“Her game is really tough, it doesn’t match up with mine. I had to work hard.”

AAP