So near yet so far as Aussie aces lose WTA semi-finals

At the WTA 500 hardcourt event in Texas, Tomljanovic pushed top-seeded Jessica Pegula all the way but fell just short of reaching the Austin Open title decider.

The American looked to be cruising to victory after comfortably claiming the first set for the loss of just one game. 

However, Tomljanovic fought back to claim the second set and force a decider, with Pegula eventually closing out the match 6-1 4-6 6-3.

Pegula exploited 11 double faults from the Aussie and converted seven of 16 break points in the match, which lasted one hour and 58 minutes.

"We were a little hit or miss with our serves today," Pegula said after the match.

"It was pretty hot today, the ball was kind of flying."I always want to show that I'm one of the best Americans, one of the best players in the world, so being able to do that on home soil is always special."

The American had plenty of patriotic support from the crowd, including Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.

Pegula's victory set up an all-American final against McCartney Kessler, who beat Belgian Greet Minnen 7-5 6-4.

It is Pegula's 16th final and second of the year after her runner-up finish to compatriot Madison Keys at the Adelaide International in January.

Tomljanovic, currently No.111, will return to the world's top 100 when the next rankings are released.

At the Merida Open Akron hardcourt event in Mexico, Saville would have liked her chances against Colombian qualifier Emiliana Arango.

The 30-year-old Saville, who had to qualify for the event at the Yucatan Country Club in Merida, lost the first set to the world No.133.

Saville rallied to claim the second set, before Arango comfortably won the decider, clinching the match 6-3 4-6 6-2.

Arango's reward was a place in the final against American Emma Navarro, who beat Armenia's Elina Avanesyan 6-3 6-3 in their semi-final.

Saville, who has been ranked as high as No.20 in the world, is set to improve at least 10 places on her current No.121 ranking.