World number one Karolina Pliskova had an ordeal in the first match scheduled on Day Six of the US Open inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Last year’s runner-up saved a match point, en route to her three-set victory over 27th seed Zhang Shuai, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at the US Open for the second successive year.
It was an authoritative start to the match by the top seed as Pliskova showed her raw power by breaking last year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist to 15 at the start of the match. However, the world number one failed to consolidate the break as she blew a 30-0 lead, and Pliskova committed unforced errors which allowed Zhang to level proceedings at 1-1.
The 27th seed held onto her serve with ease, and she broke Pliskova’s serve again to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the first set. Nevertheless, the world number one had the chance to get back onto level terms as she had two break back points but she failed to capitalize on the changes provided to her.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium had a sparse crowd at the beginning of the match and Zhang continued to play fearless tennis by outmaneuvering Pliskova and getting her around the court. Nevertheless, the stadium continued to get filled as the 27th seed took a shocking opening set lead over the world number one, who had to recover from a set down in her second round match with Nicole Gibbs. China’s number two took the first set, 6-3 in just 34 minutes, and the alarm bells were ringing for Pliskova.
Pliskova improved at the start of the second set by holding serve to lead 1-0 by producing a big serve out wide followed by a low crouched backhand winner down the line. Zhang was feeling the pressure as continued to commit more unforced errors, which handed the world number one a 2-0 lead.
Last year’s US Open finalist fended off four break points to take a commanding 3-0 in the second set. However, Zhang was not giving up as she quickly held to love and she won three successive games on the bounce to level the second set at 3-3.
The alarm bells were ringing for the world number one as she was committing more unforced errors, and the 27th seed broke Pliskova’s serve to lead 5-4, and serve for a place in the fourth round. It was a tough game for Zhang as the nerves were clearly evident, she faced a break point as she committed a tame forehand unforced error in the net.
She received a helping hand from the top seed as she committed two more back-to-back backhand unforced errors in the net. Zhang created a match point for the biggest win in her career, however, the top seed did not give up as she stepped inside the baseline, and played a gutsy forehand down the line, forcing the error from Zhang to save the match point.
Zhang was bitterly disappointed as Pliskova continued to hang in the match, and the 27th seed committed two more unforced errors, which had the match hanging in the balance leveling the second set at 5-5.
The destination of the second set was seemingly going to Pliskova as she fended off three more break points with her big serve sending down booming aces to get her out of trouble. She led 6-5 with the Chinese player’s wild backhand continuing to break down.
Perseverance paid off as the world number one claimed the second set by producing a booming forehand return crosscourt, forcing Zhang to place it lifelessly in the net. The top seed called the trainer at the conclusion of the second set to see to her forearm, which was bothering her.
Pliskova survives to hang onto her world number one ranking
Last year’s US Open finalist was feeling the pressure as she immediately fell to 0-40 down but she saved all three break points, however, a fourth one came for Zhang who played a delightful lob and took a 1-0 lead with a smash winner at the net. Zhang consolidated her break, saving another break point in the process to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the final set.
However, the world number one who remained emotionless stayed in the match as she held serve and broke Zhang’s serve to level the match at 2-2. Afterwards, the top seed was shaking out her right forearm, which was clearly affecting her but she was still able to contest at a high level in the match.
The match was becoming extremely physical as both players were fighting hard to win this match. Pliskova was looking to win four games on the bounce but the 27th seed saved it and held onto her serve at 3-3. Both players were becoming tight in some moments of the match. The top seed battled from 30-30 to take a 4-3 lead in the final set.
The two seeded players would record back-to-back holds to love with Zhang now trailed 4-5 and having to serve to stay in the tournament. The world number one stepped up her level of play as she broke the 28-year-old’s stubborn resistance with a crushing backhand winner down the line, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes.
Rennae Stubbs asked Pliskova after the match, what was her thought process during match point. “I was not playing that many forehands down the line today, so I said this is my last try, and went for it, just happy but not the best match again. Stubbs also said to Pliskova, that she had only hit three winners. “That’s what I thought, so definitely I have to improve, I think I improved in the second set, she got a little bit tight at the end of the second set. So I was staying in the rallies, I was waiting for my chance, I got it, thank God, I got it today, the third set was very close.
Stubbs asked Pliskova about her arm. “I had a problem with my arm but hopefully nothing serious and I will be ready for my next match. “Well I don’t really feel calm, especially not now but there are some moments I’m trying to stay in the game, and trying to stay calm and don’t panic, I don’t think this was the case today.
She was finally asked about the pressure from this year compared to last year. “Totally different story last year, I was seeded 10th last year, I didn’t have any pressure on myself, this year it’s a little bit different so far I’m, winning that’s good.
