Rothesay Classic Birmingham 2024: Tomljanovic marks stellar return to grass after injury
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The Rothesay Classic Birmingham’s seventh day slate came to a crescendo in a three-set thriller between Ajla Tomljanovic and Leylah Fernandez, ending in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory for the Australian as she booked her first-ever grass court semi-final.
Tomljanovic’s streak at the Edgbaston Priory Club is her greatest Tour-level run since reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022 US Open, having slowly returned to the circuit following an eight month hiatus recovering from knee surgery in January 2023.
The Rothesay Classic Birmingham is only the three-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist’s sixth WTA Tour event since returning from surgery in August last year.
“I’m really happy,” said Tomljanovic on her return. “I take everything day-by-day as I’ve had so many little setbacks, even this year. So, I think I should be happy with how I’ve performed in this tournament, and I am.
“There’s so many things that I have to take care of daily, so I don’t always get a chance to reflect on things, but I think after this tournament I will definitely see this as a great week for me, especially after I was unable to play a lot of tennis over the past couple of years.”
Tomljanovic’s stellar run on the grass came after recording wins against Anna Blinkova and Lin Zhu in the lead up to her result against the 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez.
Despite trailing a set and a break in her quarter-final clash, the Break Point star leveraged her experience to produce the grass-court flair she so often showcased at SW19, turning the match on its head to win in three sets.
I just tried to do what I do best on my own terms.
Speaking on her performance, Tomljanovic said, “I think [Leylah] is very tricky for me as she plays with such aggression, and I think her serve is more effective on the grass being a lefty. It’s hard to predict where she’ll go.
“I knew I’d have to be on my game unlike in the first set, but somehow, I turned it around and it’s all a bit of a blur. I’m just happy that I stayed in it and remained competitive.
“There was no crazy game plan. I just tried to do what I do best on my own terms.”
The Zagreb-born tennis talent secured the last of four semi-final places as her campaign continues, alongside Yulia Putintseva, seventh seed Anastasia Potapova and Birmingham newcomer Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Tomljanovic is scheduled to play the only remaining seed in the draw, Anastasia Potapova, in the semi-final.
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