Ajla Tomljanovic's dream of finally winning her first WTA tour title after 15 years of slog has been shattered after she fell frustratingly short once again in the final of the Birmingham Classic.

For the Australian stalwart, who had reached four previous WTA finals only to be beaten in them all, it was deja vu as Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva defeated her 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in a grass-court showdown for the Maud Watson Trophy at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Tomljanovic had lifted what's considered a Challenger trophy in Brazil last year amid an injury-strewn spell for the 31-year-old, but a triumph in a tour-level 250 event had, frustratingly, always proved beyond her in 179 previous WTA main draws.

But back in business in the celebrated pre-Wimbledon event at Edgbaston Priory only a month after she began her latest comeback amid an eight-month injury and illness hiatus, it proved a familiar tale of what might have been for the Australian.

Outplayed by inspired world No.41 Putintseva in the opening set and at the start of the second, Tomljanovic fought back superbly, finding real venom in her ball-striking to earn a set point at 5-4, only to inexplicably serve up three straight double faults to allow Putintseva a path back.

Then in a dramatic tiebreak, Tomljanovic missed out on a second set point before twice saving championship point, only to finally succumb by screwing a forehand just wide.

"It's never easy losing in a final but I really tried my best today," Tomljanovic told the sympathetic crowd.

Playing on the Ann Jones Centre Court and being watched by the 85-year-old 1969 Wimbledon champion herself, Tomljanovic missed out on becoming only the second Aussie winner at Edgbaston after Ash Barty in 2019.

But she was left proud that, down in the rankings at 190 after her injury problems, she will be back up to 135 next week, ready for another crack at Wimbledon — having earned a wildcard sport — where she's twice previously reached the quarterfinals.