Sara Tomic falls in Grand Slam debut
Baby-faced assassin Sara Tomic outlined her own intentions of becoming world No.1 after making her much-hyped grand slam debut at Melbourne Park on Sunday. Bernard Tomic's younger sister succumbed 6-2 6-2 to more consistent and experienced American Christina Makarova in the girls' junior championship, but the defeat failed to deter the…
Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2012 | AAP
![Sara Tomic; Getty Images](https://www.tennis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/137519403-700x450.jpg)
Baby-faced assassin Sara Tomic outlined her own intentions of becoming world No.1 after making her much-hyped grand slam debut at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
Bernard Tomic’s younger sister succumbed 6-2 6-2 to more consistent and experienced American Christina Makarova in the girls’ junior championship, but the defeat failed to deter the 13-year-old sensation.
Tomic, runner-up in the Australian under-14 championships last year and considered by her father John to be every bit as talented as her big brother, said she harboured the same lofty ambitions as Bernard.
“Yeah, to play Serena and Sharapova – all the big players,” the teenager giggled when asked if she shared the same hopes and dreams.
One of only two 13-year-olds in the under-18s draw, Tomic currently stands at 167cm, but estimates she’ll grow to “about six foot”.
She is backing her attacking game to take her to world No.1.
“Yes definitely,” Tomic said.
“Definitely my power – that’s my strength.
“Moving players around the court as well.”
With Bernard supporting and offering fist pumps from the stands ahead of his fourth-round blockbuster on Sunday night against Roger Federer, the young Australian wildcard looked every inch the future champion.
Alas, Tomic lacked the nerve and killer shot to finish off points when she indeed had her opponent, the world No.32, running ragged all over the court.
Upon Bernard’s urging on prime-time TV to get along to watch his baby sister, a capacity crowd flocked to court 18 to see her in action.
“I didn’t expect that many people to be there,” she said.
“Obviously my brother is doing well, so they came to see me. It was really good.
“I didn’t play my best game, but I handled the situation as well as I could have.”