EXCLUSIVE: What Ajla Tomljanovic must avoid in grudge match against Jelena Ostapenko

Former Australian pro Casey Dellacqua believes the bad blood between Ajla Tomljanovic and Jelena Ostapenko remains despite Tomljanovic saying the fiery Latvian has her "respect".

The pair will face off for the first time since 2022 when they meet in a second-round clash at the Australian Open on Thursday night.

Ostapenko leads the head-to-head with the Aussie 2-1, with Tomljanovic's sole victory in the match-up coming at Wimbledon in 2021, where she confronted the Latvian at the net after the contest.

LIVE: Australian Open 2024 day five

READ MORE: Tributes as Aussie racing great dies aged 48

READ MORE: Djoker reveals why 'tough guy' got under his skin

While Tomljanovic has downplayed talk of any simmering feud, Dellacqua believes the Wimbledon clash will be on the Aussie's mind.

"Let's put it this way: I think she's going to want to win so bad," she told Wide World of Sports' The Morning Serve.

"When you've had a bit of a disagreement with a player of course it's the back of your mind."

Watch the 2024 Australian Open live and exclusive on Nine, 9Now and ad-free on Stan Sport

Ostapenko is one of the women's draw's great villains, with her matches constantly highlighted by her histrionics on the court, and Dellacqua said that could prove to be dangerous for Tomljanovic.

"What Ajla needs to do is focus on process and think about what she does well because if she gets caught up too much in that (feud), Jelena Ostapenko is the type of player that if you get sucked into her antics it puts you off your game," she said.

"She's really got to hone in and focus on what she does well and then let Jelena Ostapenko do her thing.

"I think it's just her (Ostapenko's) personality. She's even divisive with the Hawkeye system, I don't know anyone that questions the Hawkeye as much as Ostapenko.

Australian Open 2024 in pictures: How Italy celebrated Jannik Sinner's 47-year drought-breaking win

Australian Open 2024 in pictures: How Italy celebrated Jannik Sinner's 47-year drought-breaking win

"She's just got that fiery white line fever attitude and it's served her well because she's a grand slam champion.

"Tennis is a bit of a game of chess and you've got to put that out of your mind as an opponent.

"She's going to question calls and argue with the umpire, but that is a part of her game style, it's what she does, so as an opponent you do expect that when you play her."

Ostapenko and Tomljanovic are scheduled to clash on John Cain Arena from 7pm (AEDT) Thursday.