Ajla Tomljanovic and Nick Kyrgios are among seven Australians set to compete on day nine at US Open 2022.
New York, USA, 6 September 2022 | Leigh Rogers
Australian contenders Ajla Tomljanovic and Nick Kyrgios are impressing with their resilient efforts at this year’s US Open.
Tomljanovic is enjoying a remarkable run in the women’s singes draw, earning widespread respect with steely victories against the retiring Serena Williams and in-form Liudmila Samsonova in her past two matches.
The 29-year-old Australian anticipates another fierce contest with fifth-seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals.
“She’s a little bit trickier for my game … I’m going to have to bring my A game to win,” Tomljanovic admitted. “That’s as expected, because what else do you do in the quarters of a Slam?”
A 38-year first 🇦🇺@Ajlatom and @NickKyrgios become the first Aussies to reach the men’s and women’s #USOpen quarterfinals in the same year since Wendy Turnbull and Pat Cash in 1984 👏 #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/iJRbniK1Ur
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) September 5, 2022
Tomljanovic has emerged as a major contender, becoming the first Australian woman to reach singles quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and US Open in the same season since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1979.
The world No.46, who had never previously progressed beyond the third round at Flushing Meadows, credits “a lot of heartbreaks” for her recent success.
“It feels like a what goes around, comes around moment for me. Especially the long matches that I’ve lost in the past, now I’m winning them,” Tomljanovic noted.
“I think for that reason I’m more calm in those moments. It just feels nice, the work is paying off.”
World No.25 Kyrgios echoed similar sentiments after sensationally eliminating world No.1 Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round.
“I’m just super proud of the performance, because there was really a time where I didn’t think I was capable of producing and doing this any more,” Kyrgios said after his four-set win against the defending champion.
“I definitely think that I’ve improved some of my weaknesses. I really analysed what I had to get better at at the start of the year, and I’ve worked on it really hard.”
The 27-year-old from Canberra has won 26 of his past 31 matches, a remarkable turnaround after dropping outside the world’s top 100 earlier in the season.
“I looked at the people closest…
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