The 29-year old Australian came back from a break down in each set to win 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1, to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time and continue a career-best season.
Williams served for the first set at 5-3 up, was 4-0 then 5-2 to the good in the second and broke Tomljanovic’s serve in the first game of the third, but the 41-year old repeatedly failed to close the deal as the Croatian-born world number 46 refused to yield.
Despite some trademark titanic ball-striking – a backhand winner in the second set tie-breaker nearly blew the roof off Arthur Ashe Stadium – the 40-year old champion ran out of legs in the third set as her opponent, who was just two years old when Williams made her professional debut back in 1995, took control.
Williams would save four match points with yet more clutch hitting at 5-1 down, but was unable to take either of her break point chances, a forehand finding the net to end one of sport’s most decorated careers.
The American icon finishes with 23 grand slam titles, an Open era record for women or men.
MORE TO COME
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