Tomljanovic and Williams will go toe to toe in the US Open third round on Friday night (9am Saturday AEST) when once again all eyes will be fixed on the retiring American great. All eyes except for Tomljanovic’s, that is, with the Australian intent on focusing on her side of the net as Williams strives to fend off retirement for at least another two days.
The 23-times grand slam champion has already taken out world No.2 Anett Kontaveit in an ominous warning to her rivals after barely playing the past three years. Turning 41 next month, the tennis super mum has stunned the sporting world with the breathtaking quality of her play in the opening rounds.
Most, even officials, figured her 21st and last US Open appearance would be little more than a ceremonial farewell before she “evolves away from tennis”.
The decision to have Williams’ opponents enter Arthur Ashe Stadium first, then displaying a minute-long montage of the American’s legendary career on the big screen, before the sentimental favourite walks on court has proven controversial.
Tomljanovic conceded while the video tributes have been “incredible” and that she doesn’t have an issue with it, the two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist won’t be watching when she steps out on court.
“I mean, it’s Serena. I think once you get to that status, you can do whatever you want,” Tomljanovic said. “It’s just up to us to look at something else, not at the montage.
“I’m going to watch it after our match. I don’t want to build it up too much. I already know who she is. I don’t want to get reminded (about) everything she’s done in the sport.”
Tomljanovic also knows the partisan home crowd will be willing Williams on too – and has a plan for that as well. “When the crowd gets involved, that’s when it can get to you,” she said.
“I remember Novak saying one time when they asked him a lot about this, when the crowd was against him, he just pretends it’s for him.
“When they chant, I don’t know, Rafa, Roger, whoever, he hears Novak, Novak. I kind of liked that response. I might use that on Friday night.
(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
“But I think if I just stay within my little bubble, have my corner that I go to when I need help just for support, block it out as much as I can.”
While the seemingly underdone Williams is suddenly warming to the task after an inauspicious lead-up, Tomljanovic has the advantage of having played 14 matches during the American hard-court – and winning 11 of them.
“She’s been playing pretty intense and I’ve been actually watching her matches a lot,” Williams said. “I saw her play last week or a week and a half ago. Yeah, she’s been through a lot of injuries, so I kind of respect that. I think it’s going to be a good match. I have to be ready.”
The winner will play in-form Russian Liudmila Samsonova or unseeded Serb Aleksandra Krunic on Sunday (Monday AEST) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kyrgios wary of hungry young Wolf’s bite
Nick Kyrgios has eyes only for JJ Wolf as a US Open blockbuster with world No.1 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev looms ever larger.
Kyrgios and Medvedev are locked on a fourth-round collision course, each a win away from setting up the first heavyweight showdown of the tournament.
Kyrgios leads the Russian 3-1 head to head and upstaged the top seed only three weeks ago in Montreal.
If anyone can deny Medvedev back-to-back titles it’s the mercurial Kyrgios.
A last-16 clash on Sunday would be worthy of a final, with officials unhappy to lose either of the two big drawcards before the quarter-finals stage. But Kyrgios isn’t even looking beyond the third round, wary of the threat that young gun Wolf poses.
The American was handed a wildcard into the Open after reaching his maiden ATP quarter-final last month in Washington, where Kyrgios won the title and Wolf knocked off grand slam semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov.
“He’s got a massive game,” Kyrgios said of the 23-year-old. “I love the way he plays tennis. I love the fact that he has a big serve, tries to take it to the opposition. Serves big and plays big.
“With a game like that, he’s going to have some great results. Obviously he seems like a hard worker, as well. I’m expecting an incredibly hard match. I know it’s not going to be easy at all.”
Alex de Minaur, the men’s Aussie No.1 seemingly forever living in Kyrgios’s shadow, is also chasing a fourth-round berth on Friday.
The world No.20 faces tough Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, the 12th seed, two-time US Open semi-finalist and newly crowned Montreal Masters champion.
“He’s obviously playing some great tennis. A very tough match. It’s going to be a battle,” de Minaur said.
“I’m looking forward to it. Third round of US Open playing against a quality opponent who’s proven himself here.
“I’m just hopefully ready for the battle.”
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Popyrin heartened after near-miss
A US Open near miss has helped Alexei Popyrin rediscover his mojo.
Popyrin could have been left to rue the one that got away after falling to 14th seed Diego Schwartzman in a marathon second-round battle in New York.
Down on confidence and morale after a barren season, Popyrin had the chance to claim a desperately needed prize scalp only to succumb 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-6 (8-6) in a three-set thriller that stretched almost four hours.
It seemed an opportunity lost for the Australian, who held five set points in the opening set, then another in the third as Schwartzman somehow wriggled free.
Popyrin looked to have the Argentine at his mercy in the first set when Schwartzman trailed love-40 serving at 4-5. But after saving three set points in a row, he fended off another two before snatching the set in the tiebreaker.
Popyrin then dropped serve trying to stay in the second set before fighting back from a break down in the third to force another tiebreaker.
Alas, he was unable to convert a set point again as Schwartzman finally progressed to the last 32 after three hours and 54 minutes.
All up, Popyrin conjured 18 break points during the titanic tussle, but only cashed in on two.
Popyrin, though, was intent on only extracting the positives from not only his tight loss to the world No.16 but also his first grand slam win of the year two days ago against Tseng Chun-hsin.
“All the matches that I’ve lost at the slams have been tight but, honestly this one, I can’t be too disappointed with this,” said the world No.84.
“Considering my form, the way I played and the level that I’ve played pretty much the whole year basically, these last two matches have probably been the best tennis that I’ve played in the last three or four months.
“So for me it was a big deal these two matches. I want to stay positive, as always. This gives me good confidence to go into the last block of the year.”
Aussies in action on US Open day 5
From 1am Saturday AEST
Men’s singles, third round
18-Alex de Minaur v 12-Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) – not before 7am
Nick Kyrgios v JJ Wolf (USA) – about 11am
Women’s singles, third round
Ajla Tomljanovic v Serena Williams (USA) – 9am
© AAP
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