It was a far from straightforward start to this year’s French Open for home favourite Kristina Mladenovic.
The 13th seed required almost three hours to overcome America’s Jennifer Brady 3-6, 6-3, 9-7. During the roller coaster encounter Mladenovic dropped her serve six times and recovered from a 0-3 deficit in the decisive set. Her testing start to the grand slam occured a day after she sustained an injury scare. During a practice session she hurt her back, which required physio, and was told she needed 48 hours to recover. It was one of the reasons behind her winner-error ratio of 45-48 against Brady.
“Back feels so-so. Unlucky thing happened to me yesterday. I did a wrong movement and I blocked my back. Random thing.” Mladenovic said after her win.
During the early stages of the match, Mladenovic was given some anti-inflammatories by a doctor. Speaking candidly about her physical condition after that her first round win, the 24-year-old revealed she was uncertain about playing in the tournament. Nevertheless, Mladenovic has been assured that the issue is ‘not dangerous’ as she take comfort in her mental strength demonstrated against Brady.
I was fighting, struggling, fighting. I thought, it’s just a break. And then after this, it was like a small marathon until the end of the match.
One reassuring thing for Mladenovic is that it is not the first time she has been hindered by a back issue. This familiarity is easing her apprehension ahead of a second round clash with 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani.
“It happened to me like that couple years ago in Cincinnati.” She recounted.
“I had an experience like that (with my back). The next two days, it was totally gone. I’m lucky I have a good team and good specialists around me that will probably do a great job.”
Pliskova quietly confident
Second seed Karolina Pliskova overcame a patchy start to defeat China’s Zheng Saisai 7-5, 6-2. The US Open runner up was four points away from dropping the opening set before breaking back to regain her control in the match.
“The second set was definitely better from my side, more aggressive, better movement, as well.” Said Pliskova.
“But the first one, it’s always tight a little bit, the first round. And especially the first set she was playing I think quite an okay clay game with me. That’s why it was a little bit more tough.”
The next two weeks at Roland Garros could elevate Pliskova to a new milestone in her career. Following Angelique Kerber’s early exit, the Czech will reclaim the world No.1 position if she reaches the final. It is a tough task for the 25-year-old, who has never progressed beyond the second round of the tournament. Nevertheless, Pliskova is refusing to succumb to the pressure.
“There are always some nerves and some kind of pressure.” The Czech admitted.
‘Especially in Grand Slam it’s a little bit hard and on the normal tournaments. I’m just trying somehow to not to put it into my head.’
‘I think it’s usual that everyone is nervous, not only seeded players and not only the ones who have the expectation pretty high.
‘But once I’m on the court, it’s fine.’
Pliskova will next play Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.
