Australia’s United Cup marketing campaign is hanging on by a thread after Ajla Tomljanovic misplaced her match towards former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber.
Tomljanovic, who’s getting back from a horror run of accidents that derailed her 2023 marketing campaign, was developing towards Kerber, who hadn’t gained a match since mid-2022, after taking day off to have a child.
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 troublesome lead-in to the semis with three straight loses heading into the semi-finals, whereas the Aussie had confronted her personal challenges, profitable her first match in Australia’s quarterfinal win over Serbia.
But regardless of the dearth of victories within the competitors between the 2 and lack of aggressive matches over the previous yr, followers have been blown away within the high quality on show by the pair.
The 4-6 6-2 7-6 confirmed simply how tight the match was, sealed 9-7 within the third-set tie-break.
Tomljanovic obtained off to an electrical begin, working out to a 5-1 lead earlier than being damaged however closing out the set.
Kerber took the momentum into the third set, claiming a direct break.
But the twists weren’t completed but as Tomljanovic broke again at 4-3 to place the match again on serve, however Kerber broke once more, forcing the Aussie to interrupt again at 6-5 to power the tie-break.
In a tense tie-break, Tomljanovic earned two match factors however Kerber responded, claiming the ultimate three factors of the match to assert her first victory since Wimbledon 2022.
While there may be just one winner, followers liked what they noticed from the top quality match up between two returning stars.
Commentator and former Aussie star Casey Dellacqua was blown away by the match.
“It was an incredible match, so nerve-racking,” she stated 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 end result sees Australia needing World No. 12 Alex de Minaur to proceed his giant-killing methods towards World No. 7 Alexander Zverev, having defeated each World No. 10 Taylor Fritz and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier within the event.
Australia might want to win each the lads’s singles and blended doubles to earn a spot within the remaining towards Poland, who swept France 3-0 earlier on Saturday.
Source: www.news.com.au
