One Aussie left in Australian Open after Ajla Tomljanovic falls to Jelena Ostapenko after stunning fightback
Jelena Ostapenko wiped the floor with Ajla Tomljanovic in the first set, but was made to fight for her place in the third round of the Australian Open.
Storm Hunter is the last remaining local hope in the Australian Open women’s draw after Ajla Tomljanovic fell at the second hurdle in her return to Melbourne Park.
A much-hyped grudge match against Jelena Ostapenko went to three sets after Tomljanovic fought back from a horror start.
However, world No. 10 Ostapenko proved too good in the end as she took the late-night match 6-0 3-6 6-4.
Ostapenko played one of the sets of her career in the opening set, which she took only 19 minutes to take in a clean sweep.
However, the Latvia star became highly frustrated during the second set, appearing to repeatedly lash out at her player box in frustration as Tomljanovic dug deep and got herself back into the contest.
A champion in Adelaide, @JelenaOstapenk8's campaign remains alive!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024
She outlasts a spirited Ajla Tomljanovic 6-0 3-6 6-4 to reach the #AusOpen third round for the fifth time. #AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennispic.twitter.com/w7KXscs6NO
Ostapenko managed to steady in their third set, though, as she took some early breaks and kept her emotions in check on John Cain Arena.
It was the second time the pair had met since their famous blow-up at Wimbledon in 2021, when Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of “lying” after she called for a medical time-out at a critical point of their third-round match.
Ostapenko responded by labelling Tomljanovic “the worst player on tour”.
Tomljanovic had conceded before the tournament that she was not feeling the “best I’ve ever felt”, after spending nine months on the sidelines last year with a knee injury.
The 30-year-old pulled out of the Australian Open last year due to the injury, after enjoying a career-best 2022 season which saw her make the quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
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