Coming into the 2016 US Open, the 11th-ranked Karolina Pliskova was the only player in the top-20 of WTA rankings not to have progressed beyond the 4th round of a Grand Slam event. Even more surprisingly, she has been taking part in Grand Slams regularly since 2012 French Open. The 6’1” tall Czech girl was seen by many as not possessing the mental strength needed to shine on big occasions – her 6 WTA titles and a career-high ranking of No.7 notwithstanding. Her Grand Slam record was abysmal and she knew it herself.
But 13 days into the 2016 US Open, the lanky Pliskova has all but silenced her doubters after managing to reach the US Open final. What 4th round voodoo? As she prepares to face the new World No.1 Angelique Kerber, critics are giving serious thought to her chances of emerging victoriously. But judging by her previous performances in Grand Slams, she should be a pushover for the likes of Kerber who is playing the best tennis of her career and has reached her 3rd major final in 2016.
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What makes Pliskova a serious challenger on Saturday? Let’s take a look at moments which made the world sit up and take note of her.
5) Pliskova Scalps Ivanovic at Flushing Meadows
Though she has generally struggled in Grand Slams, 2014 was a breakthrough year for her. Not only did she break into the top-50 rankings, she also took down 9th seed Ana Ivanovic in the 2nd round of the US Open. She hit 25 winners, a majority of them from her forehand as she cruised to a 7-5, 6-4 win, thereby announcing herself to the world. It was also her best performance at a major back then.
She was part of a new wave of Czech girls making a mark in Tennis with the likes of Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova & Barbara Strycova. This game was also the 2nd time she scalped a top-10 player but this was a bigger stage.
4) August 2015; Breaks into top-10
Pliskova was ranked a lowly 45th in August 2014 but on the back of a strong run of form which saw her win 3 WTA titles & reached 4 more finals, she stormed into the top-10. Incidentally, she became only the 8th Czech woman to do so in August 2015. In fact, she was making waves on the circuit and could have reached the milestone much earlier. She was a win away from breaking into the top 10 during the 2015 grass season but lost to Angelique Kerber in the Aegon Classic at Birmingham.
Her consistent run of form in the latter half of 2014 and the first half of 2015 sky-rocketed into the conscience of fans and pundits alike.
3) Muguruza gets a dose of Pliskova
Pliskova made a statement of intent in August this year when she faced Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. She was up against the 4th seeded Spaniard who had won the French Open and beaten Serena in the final. In addition to that, Pliskova had to brave strong winds and rain. Serving strongly, she closed out a surprisingly facile 6-1, 6-3 win.
The nature of the highly one-sided win was shocking to say the least but also affirmed Pliskova’s status as a dangerous player on the tour.
2) Muguruza done. Kerber Next
After conquering Muguruza, the lanky Czech faced Angelique Kerber in the final at Cincinnati. Kerber was in red hot form in 2016 and had reached 2 Grand Slam finals, winning one as well. There was a lot at stake for Kerber in this match. Serena’s No.1 ranking could have been the German’s but for Pliskova. Showing no signs of nerves, Pliskova hammered 7 aces on her way to a downright emphatic 6-3, 6-1 victory.
Pliskova’s big forehand was in business as well as the Czech girl justified her top-15 ranking and announced herself as a serious contender for the upcoming US Open. It was the first premier tournament victory for the slender Czech.
1) Pliskova ‘aces’ her way past Serena !
To outplay Serena Williams is one thing but to outserve her comprehensively is almost unheard of. But when Pliskova found herself facing Serena Williams in the semifinal of the US Open, she chose to do exactly that. Her strong and precise serves were too much to handle for the legendary American, which also is almost unheard of.
She blasted 7 aces and stood her ground in the 2nd set tiebreak against Serena to win the match 6-2, 7-6.
With this win, she might just have washed off the criticisms of not having a big game mentality. She said, “I hope people don't talk about that anymore. Even if they do, I don't care." If defeating Serena doesn’t qualify you for that bracket, nothing else will. Whatever happens in the final of the US Open against Kerber, Pliskova has certainly gave a brilliant account of herself at Flushing Meadows this year. In doing so, she became the first woman since Kim Clijsters in 2009 to beat Serena and Venus in one Grand Slam.
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