Tomljanovic powers into third round at Wimbledon

06/30/2022

Ajla Tomljanovic has surged into the Wimbledon third round to remain on track for another deep run at the All England Club.

The Australian had too much firepower for Wimbledon debutant Catherine Harrison, taking out the American qualifier 6-2, 6-2 in one hour, 26 minutes on Thursday.

Ajla Tomljanovic celebrates her win over Catherine Harrison.Credit:Getty Images

A quarter-final loser to Ash Barty last year, Tomljanovic is doing an admirable job stepping up as Australian tennis’s new women’s No.1 following the reigning champion’s shock retirement in March.

The 29-year-old is yet to drop a set this campaign, conceding only nine games en route to the last 32.

Tomljanovic next plays either 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, the 13th seed after an injury-ravaged year, or Swiss Viktorija Golubic on Saturday and could meet world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the round of 16.

Tomljanovic assumed control against Harrison after grabbing the first break of the match in a marathon 12-minute third game that featured 10 deuces.

She finally won the game on her fifth break point when Harrison, under relentless pressure, coughed up a double fault.

Shooting for the lines, Tomljanovic reeled off five games in a row and took the opening set after forcing the American into another error through the sheer force of her booming groundstrokes.

The world No.45 nabbed her third break early in the second set to maintain the momentum before dropping serve for the only time to allow Harrison back on level terms at 2-2.

Tomljanovic, though, wrestled back control immediately, winning the next four games to advance in confident fashion.

AAP

Watch all the action from Wimbledon ad-free, live & on demand on Stan Sport, with matches streaming in 4K UHD from June 27. Coverage of select matches commences on 9GEM from 7.30pm (AEST) each night.

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Tomljanovic powers into third round at Wimbledon

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