Tomljanovic rallies previous Fernandez to advance in Birmingham

Ajla Tomljanovic stormed again to defeat Leylah Annie Fernandez 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals of the Rothesay Basic in Birmingham on Friday.

The veteran from Australia shook off a tricky opening set earlier than profitable 12 of the ultimate 16 video games to dispatch the Canadian in 1 hour, and 45 minutes.

The quarter-final conflict featured a number of shifts of momentum.

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Initially, it was the Canadian who got here out with precision and consistency. Fernandez broke within the fourth sport of the opening set to construct a cushty 3-1 lead, executing a well-timed drop shot winner.

A second break of serve gave her greater than sufficient of a cushion, as the previous US Open finalist wrapped up the opening set 6-1, in simply 33 minutes.

Fernandez shortly carried over that momentum, opening the second set along with her third break of serve.

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Nevertheless, the previous world no. 32 lastly turned the tide.

Utilizing her clear ball-striking from the baseline, the 31-year-old shortly recovered the break and held for a 2-1 lead.

At 3-2, she aptly utilized stress to the Fernandez serve as soon as once more, breaking and securing a 5-2 edge on the scoreboard.

She closed out the second on her serve, 6-3 in 38 minutes.

Within the third set, the veteran continued her sturdy shot-making and often punished the weak second serve of Fernandez.

A poorly timed double fault despatched the Canadian down a double break.

Main 4-1, the Aussie escaped a 0-30 opening from Fernandez, and once more held, earlier than comfortably closing out the match on serve.

Tomjlanovic, who missed over three months of motion this season on account of surgical procedure, is thru to her first semifinal of 2024. The Australian is a former two-time quarter-finalist at Wimbledon.

In the meantime, the Canadian achieved her greatest profession consequence on the grass courts, making the quarter-finals.

Fernandez is scheduled to compete on the Eastbourne Worldwide subsequent week, earlier than heading to the All England Membership.