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US Open 2017: Players under the most pressure on the women’s draw

By Maxwell Ogden

SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 25: Simona Halep (L) of Romania congratulates Angelique Kerber of Germany after their singles match during day 3 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 25, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 25: Simona Halep (L) of Romania congratulates Angelique Kerber of Germany after their singles match during day 3 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 25, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – JULY 01: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during day seven of the Aegon International Eastbourne on July 1, 2017 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA)
EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – JULY 01: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during day seven of the Aegon International Eastbourne on July 1, 2017 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA) /

4. Karolína Plíšková, Czech Republic

Karolína Plíšková has made the leap to the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career. That ranking is due in large part to her reaching the quarterfinal at the 2017 Australian Open, the semifinal at the 2017 French Open, and winning three WTA titles this calendar year alone.

Unfortunately, Plíšková suffered a second-round exit at Wimbledon and is thus on the trajectory of many world No. 1 players before her: A collapse under pressure.

The world No. 1 ranking has become as much of a curse as it’s been a blessing during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Serena Williams has admittedly dominated the WTA Tour, but the players who have replaced her at No. 1 have failed to excel as the leader of the pack.

Plíšková has a chance to end the shuffling at the top by showing out at the US Open and winning her first career Grand Slam.

Due to her history at the event, Plíšková is wisely regarded as a favorite to win at Flushing Meadows. She reached the US Open final in 2017, losing a memorable three-set encounter with Angelique Kerber by a count of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

With unique perspective on what it takes to win at the US Open, as well as the ability that’s made her the world No. 1, Plíšková will face the burden of expectations.

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