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Improving Tomljanovic eyes US Open seeding

3 minute read

Australian No.2 Ajla Tomljanovic hopes to be seeded at a grand slam for the first time at next month's US Open after making a small breakthrough at Wimbledon.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC of Australia plays a backhand shot during the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Sydney, Australia.
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC of Australia plays a backhand shot during the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Ajla Tomljanovic plans to recharge the batteries and mentally freshen up after being handed a grand slam reality check.

Rampant former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka routed Tomjlanovic 6-2 6-0 in the Wimbledon second round, leaving Ashleigh Barty as Australia's last women's singles hope.

"I'm going to take a little bit of time off to regroup and disconnect a little bit. I think I really need it after this trip," Tomljanovic said.

Despite the sobering defeat, the 25-year-old is set to climb to No.40 in the world, just one place below her career-high ranking, after reaching the second round at the All England Club for the first time since 2015.

A strong American hardcourt campaign, starting in San Jose, could have Tomjlanovic seeded at a slam for the first time at the US Open starting on August 26.

"I would say it's my goal for US Open," she said.

"But if it doesn't happen, I just need to believe in my ability that I can win against anyone and not hope for a good draw or something.

"Because unseeded, if you want to go deep and beat someone seeded second round, my goal isn't just to pass the first round

"But now I can say my second round was really s****y. That was really tough.

"That's tennis, you can't pick the draw."

Tomljanovic warned Azarenka may be returning to her deadly best after experiencing the dual Australian Open champion's ferocious firepower first-hand.

"It felt like it was vintage Vika out there today," Tomljanovic said.

"I don't know how long it's been since she's been on her comeback but I just think today there was no up and down from her, which is what she was so good at when she was No.1 and winning slams.

"She would get ahead and not give you any room to breathe. She's offensive when she can to be, (has) great defence, mixes up most of her returns.

"She doesn't have many holes when she's playing like this."

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