MADRID: Sixth seed Karolina Pliskova overcame an erratic performance to see of Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, at the Madrid Open.
The 26-year-old displayed both the best and worst of her tennis skills in what was a match of two halves. Providing the former US Open finalist with plenty to think about. The roller coaster performance saw her hit 44 errors to 31 winners as she converted four out of her eight break point opportunities. Azarenka was also guilty of a high error count with 38 mistakes.
“I’m happy that I won because I think those matches sometimes you just got to get through.”Said Pliskova. “I haven’t felt that bad for a long time I have to say. And somehow that match was very strange because I started so well. I was feeling the ball, serving well. She was helping me to get the 6-2 lead. Then I lost my serve and everything went so quickly.”
Fresh off winning her biggest title yet on the clay at the Stuttgart Open, Pliskova went off guns blazing. Capitalizing on the high altitude in Madrid with a barrage of heavy-hitting shots. Her first breakthrough occurred immediately at the start when a Azarenka backhand drifted long to reward her a break. From then on the Czech sixth seed dominated the opening set. Azarenka tried to respond with shots reminiscent of the ones that brought her two Australian Open titles, but lacked consistency.
Azarenka’s mood worsened in the seventh game. A backhand mishit elevated her rival to a 5-2 lead. Prompting the frustrated Belarusian to swing her racket towards the ground out of anger. In contrast, a more composed Pliskova sealed the 6-2 lead with the help of a carefully placed serve down the net, which was returned out.
Pliskova’s emphatic start soon unravelled in dramatic fashion. Set No.2 saw the Czech struggle to generate any momentum as she produced a lackluster 21 unforced errors. Reviving the hopes of her animated rival, who continued to fight for the win going into the decider.
The last-night showdown at the Caja Magica wasn’t just a battle of the fittest, it was also who was the most strongest mentally. In the decider a break in Pliskova’s favor for 3-0 prompted a mini Azarenka outburst. Who wasn’t afraid to show her emotions. Nevertheless, closing the match out was far from straightforward for Pliskova as Azarenka battled back to level 3-3.
Eventually the Czech prevailed after over two hours of battling on the court. A tentative Azarenka serve was returned with interest to hand Pliskova a place in the last 16.
“All the games were pretty close. She served well at 3-1, but that game was very tough. It would have been so much different if I had a 4-0 lead. To play a bit more freely.” Pliskova reflected about how the match ended.
“I always had my chances. It’s not that she played unbelievable shots. It was more about me today because I think she gave me some mistakes that she maybe wouldn’t have (if we played) on a hard court.”
Improvements required
Despite booking a place in the third round of the Madrid Open for the first time in her career, it was a muted celebration by Pliskova. After the match the world No.6 admitted that playing late at night has been an issue for her.
“I’ve been struggling with the late night matches. I started well, so I don’t know what the problem was. Maybe something in my head.” She said.
Next up will be US Champion Sloane Stephens. The American strolled past Sam Stosur 6-1,6-3, in her third round match. Stephens is yet to reach the quarter-finals of a Premier event on the clay.
“I have to improve a lot because I think she she plays well in big tournaments. She has a good kick-serve, shots with a spin. So I think of clay she can play well here (in Madrid).” Pliskova said about her upcoming opponent
“I have to play much better than I was playing today. For sure she isn’t going to give me that many unforced errors as Vika today.”
Pliskova is now on a seven-match winning streak.
