Ajla Tomljanovic is overjoyed after putting a depressing run with injury behind her to land her first victory at a grand slam in more than two years.
Tomljanovic was unable to contain her excitement after beating Swede Johanna Larsson 7-5 6-4 to charge into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
"Oh my god, that felt really good," the 24-year-old said following her first grand slam success since Wimbledon in 2015.
"Even though any win has been really good, even in the Challengers, this felt extra special as it is back at the level where I want to be.
"Even though I still have a long way to go, it feels like the work is paying off.
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"I have a lot to improve on. It is going in the right direction. I like the stuff I am working on in practice. I am doing well in matches but I still have a way to go.
"But just looking back at where I was two months, three months ago, I am just really happy with the progress."
Once earmarked for stardom, the Croatian-born talent's decision to skip Wimbledon to save her last injury-protected ranking entry for the Flushing Meadows hard courts has paid off big time.
"Yeah, at the time I wasn't sure if it was, but now that I have won, it is a great decision," Tomljanovic said, adding that being sidelined earlier in her career through sickness helped her through the dark times following 12 months out after shoulder surgery.
"I was out for a year beforehand with mononucleosis when I was 19 and I always knew how bad things could get.
"Even if bad things kept happening, at some stage they are going to stop and good things will come if you keep working hard.
"I know that it is really cliched, but it is actually really true. Four weeks ago I was really sad that I was missing tournaments before the US Open and here I am winning the first round.
"Every week you have an opportunity, so I kind of kept that in mind when I was doing rehab and training."
Tomljanovic next faces Serbian Aleksandra Krunic, a surprise 4-6 6-3 6-4 winner of Britain's seventh-seeded Wimbledon semi-finalist Johanna Konta.
"I am expecting a similar match because she likes to play 'spinny' and her forehand is her better shot," the Australian said.
"Maybe she doesn't have quite as big a serve as Larsson, but it is going to be a lot of long rallies and I'll have to be pretty sharp."
