The pair had met three times before, but once was in 2012, so that Pliskova victory bears little relevance to today. The other matches were in Miami last year where Pliskova again prevailed, and earlier this year in the Dubai quarters, a chance for Hsieh to turn the tables on the Czech world number three.
Both players made the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2018, and a win today would equal their best performance at this Grand Slam tournament. For Hsieh, any major.
Pliskova served first and the opening three games went to serve, with Hsieh taken to deuce in game two.
With winners from forehand and backhand, Hsieh had 30-0 in game four. Pliskova replied with a forehand winner of her own, then a sizzling backhand down the line brought it to 30-30. Hsieh forced a Czech error, and then a forehand winner closed out the game for 2-2.
A fourth Pliskova ace began the next game, and just one point was surrendered as the lead was taken 3-2. Three winners flowed off the Czech racquet in an impressive display.
Neither player was threatened on serve in the next two games, during which Hsieh delivered her first ace for the match, and after seven games of quality tennis Pliskova was ahead 4-3.
The crunch came in game eight and unexpectedly. A double fault from the Chinese Taipei racquet, was followed by a netted backhand. An off forehand missed the mark and three break points were owned by Pliskova. One saved when a Pliskova backhand sailed long, but the break arrived after a Hsieh backhand found the net.
Pliskova served for the set at 5-3, and an unforced forehand error from Hsieh helped. A double fault and backhand volley into the net from Pliskova gave Hsieh some hope at 15-30, but a booming forehand forced her into error, and a netted forehand gifted Pliskova a set point. An ace sealed the deal 6-3.
As in set one, the opening three games of set two went with serve, although Hsieh had to survive a break point in game three. Then, against the run of play, Pliskova fell off track. After seeing Hsieh hit a return into the net, the third seed was fooled by two wonderful drop shots, the second a volley, and finally a backhand winner produced two break points. A terrific return off a perfectly good serve rattled Pliskova who missed with a follow up forehand, and dropped serve. Hsieh consolidated with a service hold and led 4-1.
At 4-2, the longest game of the match occurred with Hsieh at the line. Pliskova had the advantage at 0-30, following her off forehand winner and her opponents off forehand failure. 15-40 when a forehand hit the net. Break points were saved with a Pliskova return error and a backhand mistake.
Two more break chances evaporated - both from errant Pliskova shots.
Eventually serve was held, two of the final three shots a backhand winner and a forehand drop shot.
Serving at 2-5, Pliskova missed long with a forehand, missed long with a backhand, and was down three set points after being beaten by a running cross court backhand winner. A big serve down the middle saved one; however a forehand winner from Hsieh won her the set 6-2 and levelled the match.
Set three began with two service holds. Then three straight games saw trouble for the server. The first break point arose in game three, when at 30-30 Pliskova put away a forehand winner. Another forehand winner from Pliskova broke the Hsieh serve and presented the Czech number one a lead of 2-1.
Hsieh had the chance to break back immediately when she had Pliskova down 15-40, based on a backhand return winner and Czech errors. Pliskova survived the threat with some amazing tennis. Hsieh then displayed some wonderful escape work in game five, where she faced 0-40.
Pliskova led 3-2, with a break, after all that drama. At this stage of the match the standard was exceptional from both players.
Four more games flew by without a hint of danger for either player on serve, and Pliskova went to the line serving for the match at 5-4.
A forehand winner, a service winner down the middle, and an ace, and Pliskova had three match points. Only one was needed. The match ended when a Pliskova forehand down the line forced Hsieh into a backhand which didn’t reach the net.
Karolina Pliskova won an entertaining match 6-3 2-6 6-4, and will now be part of the round of sixteen.
No comments:
Post a Comment