Jaqueline Cristian topples no. 5 seed Ajla Tomljanovic (WTA 43) after a very intense match and advances to the quarterfinals in Transylvania Open. This is Jaqueline’s fourth quarterfinal of the season, after Sankt Petersburg (WTA 500), Palermo (WTA 250) and Astana (WTA 250).
Thanks to this result, Jaqueline could end the year entering WTA Top 100, a major success in her career following a 50 places leap in this season.
The victory against Tomljanovic has a special meaning to Jaqueline for several reasons. On the one hand, she ousts a player from Top 50 the second tournament in a row (last week, in Tenerife, she defeated Tamara Zidansek, WTA 33). And Ajla isn’t just any player, but one with a remarkable progress in 2021, proof being her quarterfinal in Wimbledon.
On the other hand, the way in which Jaqueline got this win is important as well: she found appropriate answers for the Australian’s aggressiveness, she came out from complicate situations and managed to keep it cool when her opponent tied the score. Moreover, Jaqueline showed clarity during those rallies that prove to be critical in such balanced matches.
Jaqueline started very strong, leading by 4-0 and 5-1, but then she was caught by Ajla, who tied the match. The set went to a tie-break, where Jaqueline was the one to come back, eventually managing to take it after some intense rallies. The second set was tight as well, but still Jaqueline was the first one to break serve. Although she missed a big opportunity to end the match at 5-4, she remained focused and eventually transferred the pressure upon Tomljanovic, forcing her to serve in order to stay in the match.
Jaqueline started very strong, leading by 4-0 and 5-1, but then she was caught by Ajla, who tied the match. The set went to a tie-break, where Jaqueline was the one to come back, eventually managing to take it after some intense rallies. The second set was tight as well, but still Jaqueline was the first one to break serve. Although she missed a big opportunity to end the
match at 5-4, she remained focused and eventually transferred the pressure upon Tomljanovic, forcing her to serve in order to stay in the match.
At 6-5 we witnessed a marathon-game, with five ties and two more match points that Ajla managed to save. Jaqueline was to get a much desired victory only at the fourth match point.
In the quarterfinals, Jaqueline will meet either Simona Halep or Varvara Gracheva. She never played before against Simona, but with Gracheva, this would be their second match (the first was won by the Russian).
