Ajla Tomljanovic expects physical match against Ons Jabeur

US Open
Ons Jabeur plays a shot

Ajla Tomljanovic is not satisfied with reaching the US Open quarter-finals but acknowledges that she is in for a tough match against Ons Jabeur.

Tomljanovic has tread a path that hasn’t been the easiest having battled past Serena Williams in three sets.

The 29-year-old Australian felt that after that performance she couldn’t lose in the very next round and equally doesn’t want to lose in the last eight.

“I think my will to go further in this tournament was really strong and I didn’t want to stop just after what happened on Friday night,” said Tomljanovic.

“I thought I deserved more. I definitely wanted to go for more. I dug deep because I felt like I had more left in me.

“I think a lot of heartbreaks that have happened over a long time, I feel like what goes around comes around moment for me. Especially the long matches that I’ve lost in the past, now I’m winning them.

“I think for that reason I’m more calm in those moments.”

US Open day seven wrap: Nick Kyrgios earns statement win over Daniil Medvedev

Tomljanovic stopped short of saying that she has set her sights on the trophy but most certainly hopes for a first Grand Slam semi-final

“I’m not going as far as that, but I definitely don’t have that feeling that maybe I had last year where I was maybe a little bit satisfied with making the quarters.

“Now I’m obviously happy, first time in US Open quarter-finals, but I’m feeling still really hungry, which I like.”

Tomljanovic expects Jabeur to bring nothing short of a full-blooded effort to their last eight meeting.

“I know it’s going to be a physical match,” she said.

“She’s going to hit so hard so I have to be ready physically for her. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match.”

The Tunisian is the first African to reach the last eight at the US Open since South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer in 1998.

Jabeur has laid her cards of the table as she intends to fight to go deep at a Grand Slam as she believes her level of play demands no less.

“I’m just going to keep fighting and keep pushing and breaking records here,” said Jabeur.

Follow the US Open with live women’s singles scores

Jabeur takes confidence from feeling her game click into place during her battle to get beyond Veronika Kudermetova.

“It was a very difficult match at the beginning. It’s very tough to play her,” said Jabeur.

“It was very frustrating for me, but I had to accept it at the beginning and keep building. At the end, everything just clicked.”

Jabeur and Tomljanovic will meet at a time to be determined on day nine of the US Open from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

Ajla Tomljanovic Ons Jabeur

Latest