Tomljanovic ends British teen's dream run

Australian reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals after Raducanu retires injured when a set and 3-0 down

LONDON:

Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday as British teenager Emma Raducanu retired injured when a set and 3-0 down.

Raducanu, 18, had lit up Wimbledon in the same fashion 15-year-old Coco Gauff had two years ago but she was clearly struggling, clutching her stomach and gasping for breath.

She received medical attention at the break for 3-0 and was taken off for further examination before it was announced she could not continue.

"I am really kind of shocked. Emma must be really hurt being a Briton playing at home," said Tomljanovic.

"I am really sorry but it's sport, it happens, I am really wishing her all the best.

"I felt like I was in my groove (in the second set) but Emma not being at her best explains that."

Tomljanovic, 28, will play compatriot and world number one Ashleigh Barty on Tuesday for a place in the semi-finals.

"It did not really sink in that I am in the quarter-finals given the circumstances," said Tomljanovic.

"But two Aussies playing each other and one to go through to the last four is great.

"I am thrilled to play Ashleigh and hope it will be a great match."

There was little hint of the anti-climactic ending when Raducanu came out all guns blazing.

She held not only the packed Court One in thrall -- including her parents father Ian and mother Renee -- but also diehard fans watching in the darkness on a soaked Henman Hill/Murray Mount.

She had two break points on Tomljanovic's serve at 4-4 in the first set in a game that lasted eight minutes but the Australian saved them both and held.

The Australian took her to deuce and as the game edged towards the nine-minute mark she broke her and took the set as Raducanu sent a forehand long.

It was the first set Raducanu had dropped at Wimbledon.

The Australian carried the momentum into the second set and with Raducanu showing clear signs of distress, she broke the English girl to go 2-0 up.

Raducanu saw two break points come and go on the Australian's serve at 0-2 -- her holding prompted her boyfriend Matteo Berrettini to grab the railing in front of him and shake it in a mix of relief and celebration.

Berrettini also reached the men's quarter-finals on Monday.

Raducanu sought medical attention at that break -- the second successive opponent the Australian has faced to do that.

This time, though, Raducanu did not receive both barrels as Latvian Jelena Ostapenko had on Saturday from Tomljanovic.

Once the disappointment of Monday dies down Raducanu will have much to celebrate.

She will take away not only £181,000 ($250,000) but also see her ranking rise sharply from 338.

Then she will await her leaving exam results nervously having sat maths and economics in April.