Karolina Pliskova Survives Zhang Shuai To Hang Onto Her World Number One Ranking By A Thread - UBITENNIS
Connect with us

Grand Slam

Karolina Pliskova Survives Zhang Shuai To Hang Onto Her World Number One Ranking By A Thread

Published

on

World number one Karolina Pliskova had an ordeal in the first match scheduled on Day Six of the US Open inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Last year’s runner-up saved a match point, en route to her three-set victory over 27th seed Zhang Shuai, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at the US Open for the second successive year.

It was an authoritative start to the match by the top seed as Pliskova showed her raw power by breaking last year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist to 15 at the start of the match. However, the world number one failed to consolidate the break as she blew a 30-0 lead, and Pliskova committed unforced errors which allowed Zhang to level proceedings at 1-1.

The 27th seed held onto her serve with ease, and she broke Pliskova’s serve again to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the first set. Nevertheless, the world number one had the chance to get back onto level terms as she had two break back points but she failed to capitalize on the changes provided to her.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium had a sparse crowd at the beginning of the match and Zhang continued to play fearless tennis by outmaneuvering Pliskova and getting her around the court. Nevertheless, the stadium continued to get filled as the 27th seed took a shocking opening set lead over the world number one, who had to recover from a set down in her second round match with Nicole Gibbs. China’s number two took the first set, 6-3 in just 34 minutes, and the alarm bells were ringing for Pliskova.

Pliskova improved at the start of the second set by holding serve to lead 1-0 by producing a big serve out wide followed by a low crouched backhand winner down the line. Zhang was feeling the pressure as continued to commit more unforced errors, which handed the world number one a 2-0 lead.

Last year’s US Open finalist fended off four break points to take a commanding 3-0 in the second set. However, Zhang was not giving up as she quickly held to love and she won three successive games on the bounce to level the second set at 3-3.

The alarm bells were ringing for the world number one as she was committing more unforced errors, and the 27th seed broke Pliskova’s serve to lead 5-4, and serve for a place in the fourth round. It was a tough game for Zhang as the nerves were clearly evident, she faced a break point as she committed a tame forehand unforced error in the net.

Zhang played a very good match against Pliskova (Photo by Richard Heathcote / Getty)

She received a helping hand from the top seed as she committed two more back-to-back backhand unforced errors in the net. Zhang created a match point for the biggest win in her career, however, the top seed did not give up as she stepped inside the baseline, and played a gutsy forehand down the line, forcing the error from Zhang to save the match point.

Zhang was bitterly disappointed as Pliskova continued to hang in the match, and the 27th seed committed two more unforced errors, which had the match hanging in the balance leveling the second set at 5-5.

The destination of the second set was seemingly going to Pliskova as she fended off three more break points with her big serve sending down booming aces to get her out of trouble. She led 6-5  with the Chinese player’s wild backhand continuing to break down.

Perseverance paid off as the world number one claimed the second set by producing a booming forehand return crosscourt, forcing Zhang to place it lifelessly in the net. The top seed called the trainer at the conclusion of the second set to see to her forearm, which was bothering her.

Pliskova survives to hang onto her world number one ranking

Last year’s US Open finalist was feeling the pressure as she immediately fell to 0-40 down but she saved all three break points, however, a fourth one came for Zhang who played a delightful lob and took a 1-0 lead with a smash winner at the net. Zhang consolidated her break, saving another break point in the process to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the final set.

However, the world number one who remained emotionless stayed in the match as she held serve and broke Zhang’s serve to level the match at 2-2. Afterwards, the top seed was shaking out her right forearm, which was clearly affecting her but she was still able to contest at a high level in the match.

The match was becoming extremely physical as both players were fighting hard to win this match. Pliskova was looking to win four games on the bounce but the 27th seed saved it and held onto her serve at 3-3. Both players were becoming tight in some moments of the match. The top seed battled from 30-30 to take a 4-3 lead in the final set.

Pliskova’s serve was not firing on all cylinders today (Photo by Richard Heathcote / Getty)

The two seeded players would record back-to-back holds to love with Zhang now trailed 4-5 and having to serve to stay in the tournament. The world number one stepped up her level of play as she broke the 28-year-old’s stubborn resistance with a crushing backhand winner down the line, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes.

Rennae Stubbs asked Pliskova after the match, what was her thought process during match point. “I was not playing that many forehands down the line today, so I said this is my last try, and went for it, just happy but not the best match again. Stubbs also said to Pliskova, that she had only hit three winners. “That’s what I thought, so definitely I have to improve, I think I improved in the second set, she got a little bit tight at the end of the second set. So I was staying in the rallies, I was waiting for my chance, I got it, thank God, I got it today, the third set was very close.

Stubbs asked Pliskova about her arm. “I had a problem with my arm but hopefully nothing serious and I will be ready for my next match. “Well I don’t really feel calm, especially not now but there are some moments I’m trying to stay in the game, and trying to stay calm and don’t panic, I don’t think this was the case today.

She was finally asked about the pressure from this year compared to last year. “Totally different story last year, I was seeded 10th last year, I didn’t have any pressure on myself, this year it’s a little bit different so far I’m, winning that’s good.

Grand Slam

Australian Open Considering Switching Women’s Final To Sunday In Future

Published

on

The Australian Open could become the first Grand Slam to break away from the tradition of women playing their singles final first. 

According to a report from the Australian Associated Press, tournament chief Craig Tiley is open to making such a move which wouldn’t require any approval from either the WTA or ATP. However, they would likely need to consult with players first and no changes are set to be made in 2025. 

The reasoning for making such a change is due to the women’s final usually being shorter than the men’s best with it being a best-of-three set match. Compared to the men who play the best-of-five. Their thinking is that due to the length of men’s matches increasing in recent years, staging it on a Saturday would enable more people to watch the entire match compred to a Sunday when many are consious about staying up late due to the working week starting on Monday. 

This year’s Australian Open saw Jannik Sinner bounce back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in a epic encounter that lasted three hours and 46 minuites. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka required an hour and 17 mnuites to beat China’s Qinwen Zheng and capture the title. 

Should such a switch take place, it is estimated that the Sunday finale would end at around 10:30pm local time instead of after midnight, which would make it more appealing to fans. Furthermore, it could throw the women’s final more into the spotlight. 

However, there will be obstacles that need to be addressed. The most significant for the Australian Open will be trying to ensure that their 48-hour recovery period between best-of-five-set men’s matches will still be followed. 

This year was the first time in history that the Melbourne major took place over 15 days with play starting on a Sunday. Organisers claimed that the move was done in order to prevent the number of late-night finishes. However, it has little effect on any matches that took place after the first round. 

It is throught that now the event is held over 15 days, it gives more room for organisers to schedule the men’s final for a Saturday. The proposal was discussed during this year’s Australian Open’s official debrief. 

Continue Reading

Grand Slam

It Wasn’t The Same Old Story On Sunday Down Under

Jannik Sinner won his first Grand Slam title on Sunday.

Published

on

(@janniksin - Twitter)

It’s been the same old story at the Australian Open for a long time in the men’s game.

One of the greats almost always would take the top prize Down Under. Either Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer or even Stan Wawrinka always prevailed since 2006 at Melbourne.

And then came Jannik Sinner in 2024.

None of the other superstars were still around for Sunday’s final.

A DIFFERENT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Yes, this time it was a different Australian Open.

But actually Sinner may have written his own story when he upended Djokovic in the semifinals. Without that experience, the slender Italian may not have been able to handle the pressure that Daniil Medvedev sent his way in the final.

Sinner was ready for the finish line after shocking Djokovic in the semifinals. It just took time to get there.

Sinner played within himself most of the last three sets of the final. A first-time Grand Slam finalist, Sinner played as if he belonged there in those three sets.

But, oh, those first two sets when Medvedev dominated play with his backhand from the middle of the court. Backhands usually are reserved for the backhand side of the court, but not with the tall Russian on the court.

SINNER DIDN’T PLAY HIS GAME AT FIRST

In a similar manner as women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka, Sinner followed up a big semifinal win with his own Australian Open title. Only, Sinner had to fight for five sets to accomplish his dream Down Under with a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Medvedev.

Sinner appeared to play far differently from his victory over Djokovic when he controlled the court with his aggressive play and power.

This time, Sinner started things conservatively with few aggressive winners, repeatedly leaving the corners wide open for Medvedev’s crafty, but hard hit strokes. Medvedev made Sinner  pay a price with a style of play that was just the opposite.

Medvedev played close to the baseline and aggressively hopped on balls with his backhand in whip-lash fashion. He hardly had to move as he conserved energy.

THE STRATEGY ALMOST WORKED TO PERFECTION

Medvedev’s strategy worked like a charm until Sinner served the ninth game of the third set as Medvedev once needed only six points for a possible Grand Slam title. Sinner managed to overcome a deuce score to win that game.

Medvedev fell behind 30-0 serving the 10th game of the set and then Sinner got his first set point. Sinner made it stand up and it was a new game after that.

Sinner didn’t appear to be ready for Medvedev’s game the first two sets, but the Italian then came alive. He became prepared for Medvedev, even after losing the first two sets.

Of course, Sabalenka got her boost from a surprising, but solid win over talented Coco Graff in the women’s semifinals. Sabalenka then was never really challenged by Qinwen Zheng in the final.

Sinner’s final was much different.  He was somewhat lucky to escape with  a win.

Medvedev almost wrapped up the title in the ninth game, but it didn’t happen. As a result, Sinner may have started his own success story in Grand Slam finals.

James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

Focus

Australian Open Daily Preview: Daniil Medvedev Plays Jannik Sinner for the Men’s Singles Championship

Published

on

Daniil Medvedev during Friday’s semifinals (twitter.com/AustralianOpen)

The men’s singles and women’s doubles championship matches are on Sunday in Melbourne.

Across the last 10 hard court Majors, Daniil Medvedev has now advanced to six championship matches, half of which have come in Melbourne.  In those finals, Medvedev is a meek 1-4.  However, this is the first time Medvedev is looking across the net at a man not named Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, the two winningest male singles players of all-time at Grand Slam events.

And Medvedev can thank Jannik Sinner for that, who for the third time in their last four meetings, defeated Djokovic in Friday’s semifinals to reach his first Major final.  Since adding Darren Cahill to his team 18 months ago, one of tennis’s best coaches of all-time, Sinner’s game has continually and significantly improved, most evident in his three victories over Djokovic since November.  On Sunday, the most dominant male player of this fortnight looks to break more new ground in his young career.

Earlier on Sunday, in the women’s doubles championship match, it’s Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko (11) vs. Su-Wei Hsieh and Elise Mertens (2).  This is a first Major final for Kichenok, and a first in doubles for Ostapenko.  Su-Wei has won seven Majors in doubles, including her first mixed title earlier this week, and is 7-1 at this stage of Majors.  Mertens has won three Majors in women’s doubles, including Wimbledon in 2021 alongside Su-Wei.


Jannik Sinner (4) vs. Daniil Medvedev (3) – Not Before 7:30pm on Rod Laver Arena

Through six rounds, Sinner has dropped just one of 19 sets, which came against Djokovic in the semis.  But even that match was a rather comfortable win for the Italian, who lost only six games in the three sets he claimed.  Jannik has not just been the best ATP player this fortnight: he’s been the best ATP player since the last Major, with a record of 26-2.  The 22-year-old is 10-4 in ATP finals, with this of course being by far the biggest of his career to date.

Medvedev endured a much more complicated path to this final, completing 25 out of a possible 30 sets, which included three five-setters.  Two of those came in the last two rounds, against Hubert Hurkacz and Sascha Zverev.  Daniil has spent six more hours on court than Jannik, and has played for over 11 hours during the second week alone.  He is 20-16 in ATP Finals, with all 20 titles coming at different events.  But Medvedev can be rather streaky in finals: after losing five in a row, he won seven of eight, yet has now lost his last three.

And those last two losses came at the hands of Sinner, who beat him in both Beijing and Vienna.  Jannik also defeated Daniil in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in November, though all three of those recent matches were tight.  Prior to that, Medvedev had dominated their head-to-head 6-0, which includes two finals earlier in 2023.  All ten of their meetings have taken place on hard courts, and this is their first at a Major.

Based on their recent history, as well as their individual form this fortnight, I favor Sinner to win his first Major on Sunday.  While he’ll surely be nervous in the biggest match of his life, and could experience an emotional letdown coming off ending Novak’s undefeated record of 20-0 in Australian Open semis and finals, Jannik will be the much fresher player on this day.  Plus, he will feel confident after those three recent wins over Daniil, who has a lot of scar tissue to overcome in Major finals.  And after facing Medvedev so much within the past year, Sinner is well-versed on how to take advantage of Daniil’s deep return position.


Sunday’s full Order of Play is here.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending