US Open 2017: Karolina Pliskova survives and advances
World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova has avoided the early upset bug. Pliskova has survived and advanced to the fourth round at the 2017 US Open.
The name of the game at Grand Slam tournaments is survive and advance. A player’s perceived form isn’t quite as much of a focal point as it is during the ATP and WTA tournaments that prepare the stars for the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova proved as much during the third round of the 2017 US Open, when she did what she needed to do: Survive and advance.
Pliskova faced significant pressure as the world No. 1, but it elevated to new heights at the US Open. High seeds have been dropping in an almost unprecedented manner, and many have speculated that Pliskova could be the next to suffer that fate.
It appeared as though Pliskova would ultimately face that fate, but she saved match point and went on to secure a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Shuai Zhang.
Still on Track: No.1 seed @KaPliskova survives Zhang with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory to reach US Open 2nd week. https://t.co/AONBpi5anD #USOpen pic.twitter.com/BavE5kUQgq
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2017
It was a gutsy victory for Pliskova that will push her on to the second week and the fourth round of the 2017 US Open.
Pliskova ripped off nine aces during her victory over Zhang, who’s currently ranked as the No. 27 player in the world. She committed 38 unforced errors in what was a somewhat troubling display, but she connected on 33 winners and converted six break points.
The quality of play was relatively equal on both sides of the net, but it was Pliskova who outlasted her game opponent.
Match Point: No. 1 @KaPliskova stays on top and will advance to R4. #USOpen @jpmorgan pic.twitter.com/po2bVG4hwi
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2017
In turn, Pliskova has moved one step closer to protecting her place as the No. 1 player on the WTA Tour—and, more ambitiously, winning her first career Grand Slam.
Pliskova reached the final of the 2016 US Open, but ultimately fell to Angelique Kerber. She reached the quarterfinal at the 2017 Australian Open and the semifinal at the 2017 French Open, however, and is now looking to build upon that success.
Pliskova will now move on to face the winner of the third round match between unseeded players Jennifer Brady and Monica Niculescu.
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As the 2017 US Open embodies the unpredictability of the sport, one constant currently remains: Karolina Pliskova at No. 1.