Inconsistency continues to taint the women’s game
The opening week of the new season saw nine out of the world’s ten best players participate in three tournaments in Brisbane, Auckland and Shenzhen. Out of those nine, only one player managed to reach a final. Karolina Pliskova’s surge to the Brisbane title saw her drop only one set on her way to the final before she thrashed France’s Alize Cornet 6-0, 6-3.
“The first set was very dominant. But then I think I took speed off my serve a little bit somehow and was more relaxed,” said Pliskova.
“[The second set] was closer, definitely, but still two breaks and 6-3, so I was feeling comfortable on my serve, even though there were few tougher games than in the first.
“I was just expecting it was not going to be that easy like it was in the first. I didn’t miss almost whole set in the first set. Yeah, I was feeling pretty good today.”
Pliskova’s triumph was one her rivals failed to copy. World No.1 Angelique Kerber was outplayed by the formidable Elina Svitolina, who has now beaten a No.1 player three times since 2015. Serena Williams blasted 88 unforced errors during her second round exit to Madison Brengle in Auckland. Finally Agnieszka Radwanska was blown away by Alison Riske in quarter-finals in Shenzhen.
“I think she was really playing very solid tennis from the begin to the end. She hit the ball well and served well, and very consistent,” Radwanska said following her loss to Riske. “So, of course, here is my first tournament [this year], obviously it is disappointing when you lose but hope it’s a good lesson for the next tournament.”
Besides Pliskova, the two other tournaments was won by player’s ranked outside the top 40.
How the top ten performed in the first week
1) Angelique Kerber – Brisbane QF
2) Serena Williams – Auckland R2
3) Agnieszka Radwańska – Shenzhen QF
4) Simona Halep – Shenzhen R2
5) Dominika Cibulkova – Brisbane QF
6) Karolina Pliskova – Brisbane champion
7) Garbine Muguruza – Brisbane SF (withdrew due to fatigue/injury)
8) Madison Keys – did not play due to injury
9) Svetlana Kuznetsova – Brisbane QF
10) Johanna Konta – Shenzhen SF
