Karolina Pliskova’s quest for her fourth title of the season has got off to a strong start at the China Open following a 6-3, 6-4, win over Carla Suárez Navarro.
The Czech fourth seed won 85% of her first service points as she dictated play against her Spanish rival. Hitting a total of 33 winners compared to Suarez Navarro’s tally of 13, Pliskova proved to be the more consistent player on the court. Her only blip occurred midway through the second set when she lost her break advantage, but regained it in the following game by breaking once more to love.
“I think the conditions suit me well, because it’s pretty fast — the balls are flying,” said Pliskova, who hit eight aces during her match. “I think I was serving well, and playing aggressive from the baseline.”
Pliskova, who is less than 1000 points adrift from world No.1 Garbine Muguruza, will play Germany’s Andrea Petkovic in the second round. Petkovic, who failed to win a match in her three previous tournaments, eased past Kiki Bertens 6-4, 6-0. The former French Open finalist broke Bertens five times in the match and saved four out of the five break points she faced.
“Definitely it’s going to be tough,” Pliskova said about her next match. “She won a few matches here already, so I have to be ready.”
Wozniacki and Radwanska through
Caroline Wozniacki survived a second set scare to see off home favourite Wang Qiang 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-1. Facing a player who had recently scored wins over Kristina Mladenovic and Sloane Stephens, Wozniacki’s experience proved pivotal. It was a frustrating encounter for the former world No.1, who lead the match by a set and a break before Wang clawed her way back to level 4-4. Then the Chinese player took the tiebreaker when a Wozniacki backhand slammed into the net.
Despite the huge roar for Wang from her home crowd, Wozniacki restored order with a clinical deciding set. Wang illustrated her potential, but it was her unforced errors that resulted in her downfall. In total the Chinese player produced 38 unforced errors compared to 25 winners. On the other hand, Wozniacki maintained a more balanced ratio of 29-29.
“I think second set I play really good,” Wang reflected afterwards. “But at final set is a little bit – she’s mentally stronger than me, so that’s all.”
Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska survived a shaky start to prevail 7-5, 6-3, over Carina Witthöft. The world No.13 dropped her service twice during the opening set, but managed to play the better points on the pressure moments of the set. Illustrated by her break to love to clinch the 7-5 lead. A similar scenario following in the second set with a series of long games played by both players. In nine games, six of those involved at least one break point opportunity. Eventually the Polish player sealed the win by scoring a decisive break for 5-3 and then serving the match out.
“When you’re defending so many points, it’s always a little more pressure,” Said Radwanska, who will next play Zhang Shuai. “There are no easy matches and you’re going to have to play your best game from the first round. I’m very happy with a two set win.”
It was 12 months ago at the China Open where Radwanska claimed her last title on the tour. Since then, her best result was making the final of the Sydney International in January.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Sam Stosur scored her first win since returning to action from a wrist injury. The Australian managed to tame Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-2, in just over an hour. Meanwhile, Magdaléna Rybáriková saw off Eugenie Bouchard 6-4, 6-3.
