World number one Karolina Pliskova returns to the US Open, where she was the beaten finalist against Angelique Kerber last year. Pliskova dispatched Magda Linette in the first match scheduled on day two of the US Open in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, 6-2, 6-1.
The Czech is competing at a Grand Slam as the top seed and world number one for the first time in her career. However, her ranking is under threat as there are seven contenders for her top spot. Her closest rival is Simona Halep, but she lost to 2006 champion Maria Sharapova in a three-set thriller last night.
Furthermore, Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza is in pole position to wrestle the world number one ranking away from Pliskova as she needs to reach at least the fourth round. The Czech has to match her result from last year’s US Open in order to have a shot of retaining her top spot.
Pliskova got off to a flying start in her first round match with Linette, as she held onto her serve comfortably, and immediately broke the Pole’s serve to lead 2-0. Moreover, Linette did not let that rattle her as she wiped away Pliskova’s break advantage.
The world number 72’s serve continued to be under pressure as the world number one restored her break on the fourth attempt by producing a scintillating forehand winner down the line to lead 3-1. The turning point of the opening set was Pliskova digging herself out of a 0-30 position, extending her lead to 4-1.
Linette won seven consecutive points, and once again, she had the chance to break the Pliskova serve for the second time in the match. Nevertheless, in typical Pliskova fashion, the world number one found her first serve at a crucial point of the match. She reeled off five points in a row, by portraying better footwork and won the game with a scorching forehand winner down the line.
The Pole was serving to stay in the first set, and she failed at her attempt of doing so, despite saving two set points. Last year’s US Open finalist claimed the first set in 38 minutes with a running backhand passing winner down the line, taking it 6-2.
Pliskova cruises in the second set
Once again, Pliskova had a fast start as she held serve, and her backhand continued to fire on all cylinders as she broke Linette’s serve to lead 2-0.
Pliskova announced that she would donate $200 for every ace that she produces to a charity in her native Czech Republic. The top seed consolidated the break with three aces in the game, to lead 3-0 and the finishing line was in sight.
The world number 72 held onto her serve to love but she had the chance to break Pliskova again. Unfortunately for Poland’s number two, she had six break point opportunities, and she was unable to convert one as Pliskova dug deep and held serve in a game that lasted just over nine minutes.
There was no Big Apple fairytale for Linette as Pliskova gained the crucial double break with a break to love, and the world number one sealed victory, 6-3, 6-1 by producing an ace on her second serve with a hold to love in a match that lasted one hour and 18 minutes.
“I’m happy that I’m through. Was expecting a little bit tougher than it was, but was a little bit nervous this morning before the match. Obviously before every first-round match, I’m a little bit nervous, but especially on Grand Slam and especially to defend so many points here from the final last year. It was a little bit difficult, but I think I made it pretty okay today.” The top seed commented about her first round performance.
