Tomljanovic into first WTA 1000 quarterfinal

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic has backed up her win over world no. 4 Paula Badosa with a top-20 victory.

This time she has defeated world No.20 Veronika Kudermetova 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Her opponent was in control across much of the first two sets before Tomljanovic started to get the better of her.

“Honestly, right up until I won that second set I definitely felt like she was better player,” Tomljanovic said. “But the fact that I beat her last week, I knew I had the quality if I did what I had to do.

“In the third set, it was kind of even. I was just lucky to get that break and serve it out.”

“It feels like the longest day ever,” laughed Tomljanovic, after scoring back-to-back top-20 wins for the first time in her career.

“I could keep going if I had to, but luckily I play tomorrow.”

Tomljanovic now faces two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova for a place in the semifinals.