Karolina Pliskova has become the first seed to crash out of the Qatar Open in Doha after suffering a crushing 6-1, 6-1, defeat to world No.41 Margarita Gasparyan.
The tenth seed was far from her best against a strong Gasparyan. Producing six double faults during the match, the Czech won only 18% (4/22) of her second service points. The only time when Pliskova troubled her Russian rival was in the third game of the match when she broke back after going behind 2-0.
The error-stricken performance from the world No.14 consisted of 24 unforced errors compared to ten winners. In comparison her 21-year-old opponent produced 15 winners and only 7 unforced errors. Gasparyan sealed the straightforward win after Pliskova double faulted on match point. The Russian won 53 out of the 77 points plays during the match.
It is the second consecutive tournament where Pliskova has lost in the first round. It is a disappointing run after her positive start to the year where she reached the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International followed by the third round at the Australian Open.
Regardless of pliskova’s performance, Gasparyan’s triumph in Doha is her maiden win over a top 15 player. Recently the 21-year-old reach her first Grand Slam fourth round at the Australian Open, where she lost to Serena Williams. Speaking about her experiences against the world No.1. The Russian has said that despite the losses, it has given her confidence.
“I’m so happy that I won today”. Gasparyan said.
“Yes of course I have played Serena two times. It was amazing, I feel comfortable now (playing in the big moments of the tour)”. The world No.41 concluded.
There was further disappointment for Czech tennis after world No.73 Lucie Hradecka crashed out in three sets to Turkish wildcard Cagla Buyukakcay. Hradecka produced eight double faults and won only 50% of her service points during her disappointing 6-4,6-7(5),6-2 loss.
In other early matches on the first day of the tournament, Donna Vekic required only 50 minutes to dismiss Fatma Al Nabhani 6-0,6-0. China’s Saisai Zheng defeated American Varvara Lepchenko 6-2,7-6(6). Finally, Jelena Ostapenko eased her way past Zarina Diyas 6-1, 6-3.
