WIMBLEDON: Two key seeds in the women’s draw at this year’s Wimbledon championships were forced to go the full distance in order to seal a place in the last 16.
Karolina Pliskova, who have won fewer matches at the tournament than any other grand slam so far in her career, was pushed to her limits during her third round match. Taking on the tricky Hsieh Su-Wei, Pliskova at times struggled with the unorthodox game style of her opponent. Hsieh is renowned for her drop shots and slices to compensate for her lack of power on the court. At Wimbledon last year she knocked out Simona Halep.
“We have had so many good matches in the past and it is always so hard to play her because you never know what is going to come,” Pliskova told BBC TV.
“It was the same today, especially today on the grass. She has beaten some very good players in the past.”
Despite the threat, Pliskova managed to overcome the threat to prevail 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Crucially breaking once at the start of the decider to secure victory. Firing 14 aces and 42 winners past her opponent. The latest win is sweet revenge for the Czech who lost to Hsieh earlier this year after leading 5-1 in the final set.
“I think this was quite a good test for me on the grass. I lost my first set in two weeks, but I’m just pleased that I’ve made it.” She said.
Another player to struggle was eighth seed Elina Svitolina, who required more than two hours to dispose of Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-2. The Ukranian had two chances to seal the match in straight sets after leading 6-3, 6-5, but was unable to do so. Despite the blip, Svitolina managed to score a double break in the decider on route to victory.
Fourth round ✅@ElinaSvitolina equals her best run at #Wimbledon by beating Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-2 on No.3 Court pic.twitter.com/QHiKVhQ4bh
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2019
The mixed performance saw the 24-year-old hit 15 winners to 27 unforced errors as she converted seven out of her 12 break point opportunities. Booking a place in the fourth round at Wimbledon for only the second time in her career and first since 2017.
Pliskova will play Karolína Muchová in her next match on Monday. Meanwhile, Svitolina will take on either Danielle Collins or Petra Martic.