Arina Rodinova’s bid for a second consecutive appearance at the Australian Open has been halted following a shock 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, loss to world No.483 Olivia Tjandramulia.
Headlining the women’s draw at the Australian Open playoff tournament in Melbourne, Rodinova initially appeared to be on top form after dropping just one game in her opening match before succumbing to the 19-year-old on Thursday. The Russian-born Australian had enjoyed a strong record at the event in recent years, settling for runner-up three consecutive times between 2013-2015.
Following her win, Tjandramulia is now just two matches away from her maiden grand slam main draw appearance (in the singles). Peaking at a high of 363rd earlier this year, the Jakarta-born player has only won one professional doubles title in her career at an Australian ITF $25,000 tournament earlier this year. During her junior career, she achieved a ranking best of 37th in 2015.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ve played her a couple of times recently and lost to her – when a player loses to one certain player all the time it gets into their mind, like doubts and stuff. But oh my gosh, I actually did it, and I can’t believe it,” Tjandramulia told Tennis Australia following her win.
“After 5-3 I was kind of disappointed in myself, because I’d played a pretty loose game and I felt I shouldn’t go down like this. I should fight for it.
“I kept telling myself to be a tough player and just get every ball in. Don’t give her any mistakes.”
In the semifinals, the teenager will face third seed Jaimee Fourlis. Fourlis, who is ranked roughly 60 places higher than Tjandramulia, recovered from a set down to defeat Kaylah Mcphee 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Bai’s win overshadowed by Tomic’s outburst
Alison Bai, who is the highest ranked player left in the draw, survived a tense encounter against Sara Tomic. The 26-year-old battled past her tricky opponent 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3. Bai was dominating the match with a set and 5-1 lead before she encountered some fierce resistance from Tomic, who took the proceedings into a final set before losing.
“I’m very relieved to get through,” said Bai, who will play Abbie Myers in the last four.
“When I was a set and 5-2 up in the second, I started getting ahead of myself, which is what happened in my last match.
“But give her credit – she stepped up and started being really aggressive and playing well.
“After losing the second set, I had to regroup and not think about it. I went back to the game plan I had at the beginning of the match, and that – together with my experience – saw me through in the end.”
Bai’s win was marred by Tomic’s farther John, who was heavily critical of the match officials. During the early stages of the third set, he reacted angrily to three successive line calls made against his daughter.
“Three balls were like that. Like that three times,” Tomic yelled.
“I will not stop, I say to you!
“Change linesman if they cannot see!”
Despite receiving a warning from the umpire, John brushed aside his outburst shortly after that match. Speaking to the Herald Sun, he said that ‘everything was fine.’ He also denied that he was warned that he may have to leave the court, despite a microphone picking up the conversation.
Tomic’s father has been involved in controversy in the past. In 2013 he received a suspended prison sentence for headbutting Thomas Drouet, his son’s training partner.
