'Aussie grit': Ajla Tomljanovic defies injury cloud to clinch Australian Open comeback
Updated . First published at
Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic outlasted Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, battling back for a gritty 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1 first-round victory on John Cain Arena.
The marathon encounter lasted two hours and 30 minutes, with Tomljanovic rallying from a set down to prevail.
Tomljanovic arrived at Melbourne Park under an injury cloud, having retired from the Adelaide International just last week with a pectoral issue. However, the 32-year-old appeared unhampered once play began.
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Ajla Tomljanovic celebrates her first-round victory over Yuliia Starodubtseva at the 2026 Australian Open. Getty
"Given the trials and tribulations with her shoulder last week, that will be particularly special," Sam Smith said in commentary for Nine.
Fellow commentator Jelena Dokic agreed: "The way she was up against it, against an opponent who came out playing so well — she really deserves it. She was so tough mentally and physically".
In her 400th tour-level outing, early trouble found Tomljanovic as she dropped serve in the third game.
Though she saved two break points to reach deuce, she could not stop Starodubtseva from claiming the early advantage and eventually dropped the opener 6-4 in 53 minutes.
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However, the tide turned in the second set as Tomljanovic seized control early, racing to a 3-1 lead.
As Starodubtseva's fatigue led to a string of unforced errors, the Croatian-born-Australian capitalised to claw her way back into the contest.
The pair traded breaks in a rollercoaster set that eventually required a tiebreak to decide.
After racing to an early 3-0 lead in the breaker, Starodubtseva reeled Tomljanovic in with a pair of blistering backhand winners.
But the momentum shifted for good at 4-2 after Tomljanovic survived an epic 28-shot lung-buster that saw both players pulled to every corner of the court.
She finally sealed the point — and the lead — with a clinical drop volley winner to take the set 7-6(3).
"This is a great Aussie fightback," Smith said.
Ajla Tomljanovic reacts during her first-round clash with Yuliia Starodubtseva at the 2026 Australian Open. Phil Walter via Getty Images
Heading into the decider, the physio was called for Starodubtseva, who was seen drinking pickle juice to combat cramping.
Tomljanovic struck first in the final set, breaking in the opening game before securing a double-break cushion to lead 4-1.
The pressure reached breaking point for the Ukrainian, who, just moments before losing her serve again, dropped her racquet and screamed in frustration.
With trainers returning to the court to attend to a struggling Starodubtseva, Tomljanovic remained composed.
Finally, with her third match point, she sealed the deal.
In commentary, Sam Stosur described the performance as the epitome of "Aussie grit".
The victory sees Tomljanovic join fellow Australians Taliah Gibson, Storm Hunter, and Priscilla Hon in the second round, marking the nation's largest contingent in the women's singles second round since 1992.
On the men's side, Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, and Rinky Hijikata have also secured their spots in the second round.
