Ajla Tomljanovic outs her mum in funny reveal at Wimbledon

Ajla Tomljanovic has stormed into the Wimbledon quarter-finals in a 22-year first for Australia, and for once, her mother was on hand to watch it.

Flying the Aussie flag proudly after the retirement of Ash Barty, the new national No.1 battled back from losing the first set to defeat French giant-killer Alize Cornet 4-6 6-4 6-3 on Monday.

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Cornet came into the match off the back of a monumental win against World No.1 Iga Swiatek, but the French woman proved no match for Tomljanovic, who became the first Australian woman into successive quarter-finals at Wimbledon since Jelena Dokic 22 years ago.

Tomljanovic did it the hard way at times after going 5-1 up in the decider only for Cornet to fight back to serve at 3-5.

However the Aussie - fired up by a pre-match chat with mentor and three-time Wimbledon champion Chris Evert - regrouped to force two match points only to see both saved by Cornet.

Evert told the 29-year-old she belonged on the big stage and would make the last eight at Wimbledon and Tomljanovic's confidence showed as she brushed off the near-misses to book her quarter-final spot in style.

The 29-year-old secured a third shot at victory after an incredible 26-stroke rally at deuce in which the two criss-crossed the court.

The point typified a two hours, 35 minutes slugfest in which both players gave their all.

This time Tomljanovic finished the job with a cross-court shot at the net that just landed in court, prompting an anxious wait before the umpire said, 'game, set and match...'.

"I didn't think I could do it," said an emotional Tomljanovic, who was in tears courtside.

"I didn't know if I could keep up my physicality and she [Cornet] never goes away.

"I had such great memories from last year [when Tomljanovic lost to Barty in her first grand slam quarter-final] and I look back and think I didn't enjoy it as much as I should.

"I've had tough moments this year and now a year on, I am here again.

Making the victory even sweeter was the presence of mother Emina in the stands, whom Tomljanovic revealed often couldn't bring herself to watch the 29-year-old's matches.

Ajla Tomljanovic gives special shout-out to mum

Last year Covid-19 restrictions meant she did not travel to London and was too nervous to watch her daughter's matches on TV.

"She was at home in Florida," said Tomljanovic.

"I could tell she wasn't watching. She would walk the dog for hours and then check the score. I was so mad at her because I was like, 'What if I'm never going to do this again, you missed it'. It is not easy to make the quarter-final.

"But she is my biggest cheerleader." added Tomljanovic who had said on court post-match, "here you go mum, you're welcome!"

Victory meant her travel agent - father Ratko - has yet again extended her hotel room. He had initially only booked to the end of the second round on Friday, prompting Tomljanovic to suggest he lacked faith in her.

"I play Wednesday, so it's probably only until Thursday morning - maybe it is reverse psychology for him," she said.

Then she added with a smile: "Fortunately, they have rooms - but even if I have to share the room with a stranger, I am not leaving that hotel!"

In the last eight, World No.44 Tomljanovic will play Kazakhstan's No.17 seed Elena Rybakina, who beat Croatia's Petra Martic 7-5 6-3.

In their one previous meeting on Madrid clay last year, the Kazakh won 6-4 6-0, but Tomljanovic said: "After last year playing Ash (Barty), I think I can face anyone".

with AAP

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