The occasional hit with boyfriend Nick Kyrgios and some prudent decisions about her schedule are paying dividends as Ajla Tomljanovic pushes her way towards the top 100.
The 24-year-old accounted for emerging Australian Destanee Aiava 6-1 6-4 in Sunday's Brisbane International first round in a battle of the wildcards.
While most are just returning to the tour, Tomljanovic is already hitting her straps after an interrupted 2017 saw her continue through December.
The Croatian-turned-Queenslander has moved from 930 to 118 in a successful comeback from a shoulder injury that kept her off the tour for more than a year.
"I didn't play the grass court season (earlier this year), didn't feel fit yet and to just compete I gave myself time to work on my body," she said.
"In October, November, December I found my groove."
On the back of that surge, she says she is confident ahead of a second round clash with fifth seed Johanna Konta or US Open finalist Madison Keys.
"I don't want to put numbers on it, but when I'm playing my best I can do good things," she said.
"I don't feel like a 118-ranked player."
Tomljanovic hit with Kyrgios - seeded three in the men's draw - at Pat Rafter Arena in the lead up to the tournament and said it was something she enjoyed in small doses.
"Whenever we're together we hit, but sometimes I don't want to because I'm sick of the spinny forehand and unrealistic serves," she said.
"But it definitely helps; no girl hits like that."
The Croatian-born talent is playing for her country of birth, as is the rules at WTA events, but hopes to have her Australian citizenship finalised in coming months and has always considered herself Australian since making the move at the end of 2014.
