Ajla Tomljanović surges into US Open quarter-finals with straight-sets win

• Australian beats Ludmilla Samsonova of Russia 7-6, 6-1
• Joins compatriot Nick Kyrgios in last eight at Flushing Meadows

Amid a despairing moment for Australian tennis three years ago, there was a realisation among the nation's officials that they had been blessed with another talent possessing significant grit. Ajla Tomljanovi, who continued her stirring US Open run on Sunday night in New York, emerged as a silver lining from a devastating Fed Cup final loss to France in Perth in 2019.

The 29-year-old, who saved eight set points in the first set when defeating Ludmila Samsanova 7-6, 6-1 on Sunday, was badly beaten on the opening day of the final. Captain Alicia Molik had options in reserve for the reverse singles. But she sensed a rare steeliness in a woman who had overcome a terrible shoulder injury just to return to tennis.