Johanna Konta survived a battle with Ajla Tomljanovic as she advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the Brisbane International with a 4-6 6-1 6-4 victory.
This match was the first meeting between the duo and it took a while for them to get used to each other’s game as they exchanged many breaks of serve.
The world number 130’s quick start was cancelled out by the brit as they shared a break apiece for 2-2 in the first. There were then six consecutive breaks of serve as Konta’s static footwork allowed Tomljanovic back in the match and eventually it would be the Brisbane resident who served for the first set at 5-4.
The Brit’s misfiring forehand was a reoccurring theme during the first set and an 18th unforced error handed Tomljanovic the first set, 6-4.
Despite losing the first set, Konta remained fully focused as she raced to an early 3-0 lead to start the second set. The Brit took advantage of Tomljanovic’s injured leg as she only lost one game in the second set. Her forehand and serve was firing as she grabbed the second set, 6-1 to force a decider.
The momentum was firmly with the world number nine as she broke in the very first game and consolidated for a 2-0 lead. Despite Konta’s convincing service holds, she couldn’t find a way to kill the match as five break points came and gone.
Eventually the Brit broke for a 5-2 lead and would serve for a place in the Quarter-Finals in Brisbane. However Tomljanovic started to hit more freely and 5-2 became 5-4 as she piled the pressure on Konta once again.
Despite facing three break points in the tenth game of the match, Konta sealed victory on her first match point to secure her place in the last eight in Brisbane.
It was a gritty and determined performance from Konta, who showed signs of a potential grand slam champion as she used her killer instinct to seal the match.
However the Brit will need to get off to a better start in the Quarter-Finals on Thursday, where she will face either Elina Svitolina or Ana Konjuh.