Ajla Tomljanovic’s dream of finally winning her first WTA tour title after 15 years of slog has been shattered after her brilliant recent comeback fell frustratingly short in the final of the Birmingham Classic.
For the Australian stalwart, who had reached four previous WTA finals only to be beaten in them all, it was deja vu as Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva defeated her 6-1 7-6 (10-8) in a grass-court showdown for the Maud Watson Trophy at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Tomljanovic had lifted what’s considered as a ‘challenger’ trophy in Brazil last year amid an injury-strewn spell for the 31-year-old, but a triumph in a tour-level ‘250’ event had, frustratingly, always proved beyond her in 179 previous WTA main draws.
But back in business in the traditional pre-Wimbledon event at Edgbaston Priory only a month since she began her latest comeback amid an eight-month injury and illness hiatus, it proved a familiar ‘what might have been’ tale for the Queensland player.
Outplayed by the inspired Putintseva in the opening set and at the start of the second, Tomljanovic fought back superbly, finding real venom in her ball-striking to earn a set point at 5-4, only to inexplicably serve up three straight double faults to allow Putintseva a path back.
Then in a dramatic tiebreak, Tomljanovic missed out on a second set point before twice saving championship point, only to then succumb at the third time of asking when she screwed a forehand just wide.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/more-final-woe-for-tomljanovic-in-pre-wimbledon-classic-c-15119469
