Momentum is gathering in Karolina Pliskova’s bid for a maiden grand slam title, but still she refuses to be complacent with her game.
In her fourth round encounter at the US Open, the world No.1 dropped just one game during her 6-1, 6-0, annihilation of Jennifer Brady. It was her most comprehensive win on the tour since the 2015 Brisbane Open, where she didn’t lose a single game against Nicole Gibbs.
“I think one of the best, even this year.” She commented about her performance. “The opponent was not their best today. Definitely she can play better than she was playing. I think she was kind of nervous, and also, with the shadow, I think she just didn’t feel (the ball) well.”
Pliskova’s win was quite the contrast to two days ago. Against China’s Shuai Zhang, she was forced to save a match point before prevailing in three sets. It was a far from perfect performance for the Czech, who admitted that it is rare for her to leave the court fully satisfied with her performance. During the French Open, she once said after a match ‘I hate my backhand today. It was terrible, and that’s what I want to improve. The serve can always be better, but still I had some good serves.’
“I’m frustrated almost every tournament, almost every match. Even on good matches, I still find something what was negative and what was wrong.” Pliskova admitted in New York.
The desire of the 25-year-old for constant improvement coincides with her desire to constantly learn. This season she has already won titles in Brisbane, Doha and Eastbourne. Achieving six wins over top 10 players.
“I will try to learn from all those matches I’m playing. Even though I’m not playing well, even though I maybe lose the matches, I will try to learn and take the good things to the next one.”
Engaged in a three-way race, Pliskova is required to reach the final of the US Open to have a chance of maintaining her world No.1 position. If she plays Svitolina in the semifinals, the winner will rise to the top of the rankings. If Svitolina does not reach the semifinals and Pliskova does not reach the final, Garbine Muguruza will become world No.1.
Pliskova will play either Coco Vandeweghe or Lucie Safarova in the last eight at Flushing Meadows.
