Ajla Tomljanović stages incredible comeback to win first-round match at Australian Open

A late night, crowd-inspired comeback has carried Ajla Tomljanović to victory over Petra Martić in the first round of the Australian Open, after the local favourite rallied from 4-1 down in the deciding set.

The Australian eventually won 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4 in a marathon match that finished past midnight at Melbourne Park, highlighted by an extraordinary 26-point game that dragged the duration of the first set to 73 minutes.

This is a significant win for Tomljanović, who is making a comeback from a knee injury that sidelined her for the majority of the 2023 season. This marks her second-round appearance at the Australian Open for the fifth time in her career.

Twelve months ago, Tomljanović underwent knee surgery in a bid to save her career. She faced doubts and uncertainties about her future as she navigated her way back to the professional tennis circuit. However, her hard work and determination paid off with this memorable victory.

The match against her long-time friend Martić was a tough one. They have known each other since their teenage years, adding to the emotional intensity of the contest.

Tomljanović expressed her gratitude to the passionate crowd that rallied behind her throughout the match. In her post-match interview, she acknowledged their unwavering support and credited them for motivating her during her comeback from a seemingly insurmountable deficit.

The Australian displayed resilience as she fought to hold her serve and capitalize on her chances in the deciding set. Despite facing a double break at 4-1 down, Tomljanović refused to give up and ultimately staged a remarkable comeback.

Ajla Tomljanović now progresses to the second round of the Australian Open, where she will face a challenging opponent.