Karolina Pliskova managed to avoid a shock defeat with the help of her trusted serve after battling past American qualifier Nicole Gibbs 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the US Open.
In what was a far from perfect match for the 2016 US Open runner-up, Pliskova’s experience and serve managed to give her the crucial edge in the match. In the deciding set, she only lost four points on her serve throughout to extend her reign at the top of the WTA rankings.
“It was definitely a tough match. I think I needed this kind of match to go through, especially in this tournament where I am defending points from (last years) final. I’m happy with my win obviously, but my game was not the best today.” She told Eurosport.
Entering the draw was two very different players. World No.1 Pliskova was playing her maiden grand slam at the top seed and was seeking to make up for her early exit at the Wimbledon championships. In contrast, world No.127 Gibbs had nothing to lose. The American, who is yet to break the world’s top 50, came through three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw.
On paper the match was Plaikova’s for the taking, but in reality it was a far from simple task. The Czech appeared flustered on the Arthur Ashe stadium with a series of flat-hitting shots. In contrast, Gibbs was playing tennis at a higher level than her ranking suggests. A total of 14 winners compared to four unforced errors guided the underdog to the first set.
Alarm bells of an upset start to rang louder as the top seed continued struggling with her form. She kept fighting to keep within contention, but showed no visible signs of emotion on the court. Pliskova’s breakthrough occurred with the help of her faltering opponent. Leading the second set 4-3 on serve, a forehand from Gibbs smashed into the net. Rewarding the world No.1 her first break of the match and resuscitating her chances.
Even when in the lead, questions over Pliskova continued to mount. Moments before serving for the second set, she was seen with her face again the wall of the court, taking deep breaths. Evidently she was struggling, but manage to force proceedings into a decider with the help of an unforced error from her rival on set point.
It wasn’t just her place in Flushing Meadows at stake for Pliskova, it was also her position at No.1. A loss would have dethroned her from the top. Going into the final set, both players continued battling. Five games went by without either player securing a breakthrough before a colossal change of momentum towards the favor of the top seed. Gibbs’ inexperience proved fatal after three consecutive unforced errors gifted Pliskova the break to move ahead 4-3. That sole 60-second blip by the American decided the outcome of the match. Serving for a place in the third round, Pliskova raced to 40-0 before securing the win the help of Gibbs’ 28th unforced error of the match.
“I think in the second set I improved a little bit. I started to serve much better, I hit some aces and some free points from the serve, which was much needed.” The Czech evaluated about her second round performance. “I think she was playing really aggressive from the baseline. I didn’t have many chances to play my game, but I am just happy that I could close it with my serve.”
The pressure
Progressing into the last 32 of a grand slam for the third time this season, Pliskova talked about the pressure she is currently experiencing. It might be expected that it is all to do with her being the top seed, but according to the Czech it is something else.
“I don’t think I feel the pressure because of my seeding, but more because I am defending points from last year. I really want to stay in the place where I am now (number one) and I think it is quite difficult. There is so many players playing for this position.”
At the start of the US Open, eight women was in contention of claiming the No.1 ranking.
Pliskova will next play either 27th seed Zhang Shuai or Japan’s Risa Ozaki.
