Tomljanovic fights back from 1-4 in the third set to advance

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic has fought past Croatia’s Petra Martic in her opening round match at the Australian Open to record a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

Tomljanovic was serving for the set at 5-4 before Martic broke back, the players then had a marathon game lasting close to 20 minutes before it was a tie-break that was required to decide the first set.

In the second set Martic got on top with more consistent play and also using her athletisim to control the play at the net.

In the deciding net Martic had taken control of the match with a double break for 4-1.

You would have expected the Croation to take the match from there, however Tomljanovic, with the support of the home crowd, won the next five games to seal a memorable victory.

It was extra special after the Australian missed last year’s Australian Open due to injury.