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US Open 2017: Karolina Pliskova dominates Round 1

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic reacts after defeating Magda Linette of Poland in their first round Women's Singles match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic reacts after defeating Magda Linette of Poland in their first round Women's Singles match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Karolina Pliskova is the world No. 1. She proved why with a dominant performance during the first round at the 2017 US Open.

In recent months, No. 1 ranking on the WTA tour has become as much of a curse as it is a blessing. When it isn’t Serena Williams perched at the top, the players who achieve the glorious feat seem to crumble beneath the weight of expectations.

With the 2017 US Open already fielding a number of shocking upsets, current world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova has offered an early sign that she’s up to the task of justifying her ranking.

Three of the Top 10 players in the world have already been upset in the first round at the 2017 US Open. World No. 2 Simona Halep fell to Maria Sharapova, defending US Open champion Angelique Kerber lost to Naomi Osaka, and Johanna Konta was stunned by Aleksandra Krunic.

Magda Linette was none too lucky, as Pliskova was genuinely dominant during a statement of a 6-2, 6-1 first-round victory.

Pliskova will need to do more than win in Round 1 before she holds on to her No. 1 ranking, but she’s off to an excellent start.

Pliskova, who’s raising €200 for every ace she hits, recorded eight aces during what proved to be a brief 15-game victory. She added an awe-inspiring 28 winners to the nine hit by Linette, and won 77 percent of her first serve points.

Pliskova also converted five break points and lost just one of her service games during the convincing Round 1 victory.

Pliskova will now move on to Round 2, where she’ll face the winner of the match between Nicole Gibbs and Veronica Cepede Royg.

In what’s already become a week of shocking upsets, Pliskova has as clear of a path as one can find at the US Open. Williams has yet to return to the WTA Tour, and three Top 10 players have already been knocked out, including the No. 2 seed.

Pliskova reached the 2016 US Open, the quarterfinal at the 2017 Australian Open, and the semifinal at the 2017 French Open.

Must Read: Naomi Osaka stuns Angelique Kerber

Now at the 2017 US Open, Karolina Pliskova is one step closer to winning her first career Grand Slam tournament.

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