Karolina Pliskova beat Ashleigh Barty in 6-4 6-4 to secure progress to the quarter-final of the 2018 US Open without dropping a set, but she does not believe she has produced her best tennis yet.
“I feel like I’m strong mentally,” the Czech said in her press conference. “I’m not playing the best tennis this year, but somehow in the Grand Slams my mentality has been working.”
“That’s why I win a lot of those matches which are not easy. It doesn’t matter if I’m not feeling great or if I’m playing bad or they play great, I’m just able to beat those girls and go through somehow.”
Pliskova certainly seems to be more resolute than some of the other players in the top ten as, for the second consecutive Grand Slam, high-profile exits have dominated the opening week headlines in the women’s draw.
“It’s better than at Wimbledon,” the Czech said. “There was nobody (from the top ten) apart from me in the fourth round. There were so many tough matches – even for me.”
“I haven’t had any easy matches so far (at the US Open), and I’m also top 10 and the girls I was playing were not even seeded in the first few rounds.”
Pliskova continued, “There is extra pressure for seeded players at Grand Slams. Unseeded players always want to do well. They just try their best because it’s a dream for them to just be here.”
“Obviously it’s very hard for everybody to be successful in the Grand Slams, so that’s why some of the players lose when they should not.”
“But it’s very open. I think there is not even one easy match now in any tournament.”
Pliskova grateful to benefit from experience
The World No.8 believes she handles big occasions much better than she used to. “It’s about the experience, for sure,” she said.
“I feel much better now, even though the pressure is still there. But I just feel like I’m handling those situations much better. I know how it is to be in the final and in the second weeks of Grand Slams. That’s what makes me confident I can do it again.”
When it comes down to crunch scenarios in matches, Pliskova remains calm because she knows she has excellent shots to call upon.
“I try to relax and not think that the situation is that difficult,” she said. “That always makes me feel a little bit better. I also try not to make things complicated.”
“And especially when it’s on my serve, I have weapons. Even if it’s on returns, I have so many shots I can play. I can hit a lot of winners, so I’m pretty confident about playing big points.”
Pliskova is also philosophical about losing. “It’s just tennis,” she said. “I don’t stress about winning or losing. Losing is bad, but it’s not horrible, and there is another tournament almost every week. So I try not to make a tragic thing out of it.”
