Ajla Tomljanovic has made a strong comeback at Roland-Garros, just days after her semi-final loss to Australian teenager Maya Joint in Morocco. The 32-year-old veteran withdrew from that match due to an abdominal injury but channeled her frustration into a dominant performance against Joint, winning 6-1, 6-3 on a fast clay court.
Following her defeat, Tomljanovic’s coach provided her with a motivational pep talk, urging her to embrace her anger and determination. This advice proved effective, as she was determined to adopt an aggressive approach against the rising star. “Maya had been playing so well, I had a few days to think about it and I knew I had to come out on the attack,” Tomljanovic noted.
Tomljanovic reflected on her previous performance in Morocco as a learning experience. She recognised that she needed to be more assertive and not allow Joint to dominate the court as she had done previously. This change in mindset allowed her to seize control and achieve a satisfying victory.
The win has set the stage for Tomljanovic to face fourth-seed Jasmine Paolini, a formidable opponent who reached the semi-finals last year. Meanwhile, fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin also made headlines, securing his first-round match victory at Roland-Garros after a six-year wait, as he won when Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka had to retire due to injury while trailing in the second set.
Popyrin expressed optimism about his game, saying he felt improvements were evident with increased consistency and match wins. However, other Australians encountered tougher fates; Jordan Thompson faced a straight-sets defeat against Czech player Jiri Lehecka, while Chris O’Connell, Aleksandar Vukic, Daria Saville, and Kim Birrell were all eliminated in their respective matches.
As the tournament continues, Tomljanovic’s resilience and focus will be key as she aims for further success in the competition. Her ability to adapt and channel past experiences into positive outcomes highlights her competitive spirit and determination.