Ajla Tomljanović claimed her first title of the year last night, defeating sixth seed Clara Tauson 4-6 6-4 6-4 at the Hong Kong Open.
The Croatian-born Australian was looking for her second WTA125 title nearly 12 months after she won the MundoTenis Open in Florianópolis, Brazil, last November.
It was third time lucky on break points for Tomljanović in the opening game of the match, converting the early break to boost her morale.
Up 3-1, the advantage soon evaporated for the Aussie as Tauson secured the break back at the fourth time of asking to win three straight games and lead 4-3.
The momentum stayed with the Dane, breaking Tomljanović despite being 40-15 down to grab the first set - helped by three aces and winning 68 per cent of first serves.
That proved to be Tauson's final break of the contest - dominated by an aggressive Tomljanović stepping in from the baseline to dictate the rallies in humid conditions.
Tomljanović, a three-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, did not face one break point on her serve in sets two and three to hold her composure and close out the final with a hold to love.
The 31-year-old has risen 21 places in the WTA rankings to world No.86 since the beginning of the event, two spots behind No.1 Aussie female Olivia Gadecki.
She re-enters the top-100 for the first time since August last year.
Tomljanović will participate in China’s Wuhan Open, a WTA 1000 tournament commencing this week with a quick turn around playing tomorrow taking on 14th seed Paula Badosa.
Hear Ajla one on one with Brett Phillips on The First Serve tonight from 8pm AEDT on the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) around Australia and New Zealand and on the SEN App.
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