When Karolina Pliskova looks back on her 2019 grass court season, perhaps the only significant glitch will be against her twin sister .
After suffering a surprise second-round loss to her sibling in the pair’s only professional main draw match at Birmingham, Pliskova dropped just 19 games in five matches to lift her 14th professional trophy in Eastbourne.
Now, with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win over Su-Wei Hsieh, Pliskova has equalled her best performance at The Championships. And the one-hour, 46-minute progression pointed to bigger possibilities for the Czech, given the complicated test that her opponent presented.
Hsieh is especially well-known for her giant-killing capabilities at the All England Club, where she stunned Simona Halep last year for her only win over a world No.1 opponent.
The 33-year-old from Chinese Taipei continues to be a force against top 10 players: she has three wins over that upper echelon group in 2019 – one of them over Pliskova in the Dubai quarter-finals, where she recovered from a 1-5 final set deficit.
It was important, then, for Pliskova to impose her authority early. The Czech did so by breaking Hsieh’s serve in the eighth game and quickly consolidated with her power serving. Pliskova’s six aces until then came at the most helpful moments – one of them securing the first set after 28 minutes.
But as she found her rhythm in the second set, the deadly efficient Hsieh also began to produce her trademark magic. Using her double-handed forehand and backhand to full effect, she produced a trio of breathtaking winners in the fourth game to earn her first break point opportunity. When she secured it by forcing Pliskova into an error, the enthralled Centre Court crowd roared their appreciation.
Pliskova fought hard to wrestle back control, the seventh game of that set extending to four deuces. But she couldn’t convert any of four break points, the dazzling Hsieh levelling the match with a forehand winner.
Still, the former world No.1 hasn’t progressed this far without a big weapon and a healthy composure. After holding her opening service game in the deciding set, Pliskova executed consecutive forehand winners to secure the break for a 2-1 advantage.
Saving two break points of her own as she consolidated, the imposing Pliskova forced Hsieh to recover from a 0-40 deficit in her next service game. And while the plucky No.28 seed held on at that point, Pliskova’s serve and power were ultimately the difference.
The Czech surrendered just one point in her final three service games, setting up match point with her 14th ace and forcing Hsieh into a backhand error to secure her victory.
Recording 42 total winners to 22 unforced errors, Pliskova countered the stunning efficiency of Hsieh, who had 33 winners to only 10 errors.
Now, having turned an important corner, the Czech can contend for important milestones. Aiming to become the first player since Maria Sharapova in 2004 to back up a lead-in grass court title (at Birmingham) with victory at The Championships, Pliskova could become the first since Jana Novotna in 1998 to complete the Eastbourne-Wimbledon double. Twin Kristyna will not be standing in her way this time - she was knocked out in the first round.
As she contemplates her fourth round against countrywoman Karolina Muchova, Pliskova takes particular confidence from her latest victory.
“I don't think is going to be that similar to today. I think there is nothing worse than today,” she smiled after surviving the Hsieh tussle. “Doesn't matter what's going to happen. For sure I will feel better.”
Pliskova was the winner of her only other match against Muchova in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open. “Of course, she's improving with every month or with every tournament. But I have my serve, I have my game,” she commented.
And she also has momentum, Pliskova amassing an eight-match winning streak across Eastbourne and Wimbledon.
“I'm feeling confident. Of course, with every player you feel a little bit different. Every court, so far I played every time different court. It's like different challenges every time,” she commented.
“I'm feeling good. I feel like my game is working. Of course, the tournament in Eastbourne helped me. I'm on a roll. I don't know if that's my longest streak of winning matches.
“So far it's good. Of course, there are opponents which are still beatable in the draw, so let's see what's going to happen."
