Tennis player Ajla Tomljanovic has become the first Australian woman to reach back-to-back Wimbledon quarter-finals since Jelena Dokic more than 20 years ago, after winning her fourth round match against French player Alizé Cornet on Monday.
Tomljanović and Cornet battled against one another in an extraordinary 2-hour, 35-minute match, where Tomljanović forced two match points and kept her cool.
The 29-year-old snatched her third shot at victory after an astonishing 26-stroke rally at deuce to reach the quarter-finals, beating Cornet 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Tomljanović, who was born in Croatia and started playing tennis aged six, shared a pre-match chat with her mentor Chris Evert, a three-time Wimbledon champion, who told her she belonged on the stage and would reach the last eight.
Currently world No 44, Tomljanović gave an emotional interview after her win against Cornet.
“I’ve had tough moments this year and now a year on, I am here again,” she said.
“I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t know if I could keep up my physicality and she [Cornet] never goes away.”
“I had such great memories from last year, and I look back and think I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should,” she added, referring to her quarter-final lost to Barty.
Tomljanović’s mother, Emina, who was unable to watch her daughter play last year due to pandemic restrictions, was watching from the stands this time.
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“But she is my biggest cheerleader,” Tomljanović said.
Tomljanović will now play world No. 23 Kazakhstan player Elena Rybakina, a match she is confident heading into.
“After last year playing Ash, I think I can face anyone,” Tomljanović said.
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