Click here to find out more info. “I think the score little bit is easier than it really was. But the statuesque all-courtier has since endured an unsettled start to the year, losing in qualifying at Brisbane, pulling out of the doubles semifinal to contest Adelaide qualifying, only to be barred from entering. It’s a little bit faster, which is better.”. ZHENGZHOU, China (AP) — Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova advanced to the Zhengzhou Open final with a clinical 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic on Saturday. Serve continued to be an issue for Mladenovic, though she continued to scrap away and showed some real moments of quality, such as a deft dropshot to get on the board in the second set or a scooped backhand winner to flick the balls off her toes to move to 3-2. Mladenovic had been representing France at the Fed Cup since 2012. In contrast, the AO is mysteriously Mladenovic’s least successful major in singles - with four wins from nine appearances - though she was a doubles champion and finalist at Melbourne Park in 2018 and 2019 respectively. “I like these conditions. A former doubles No.1, Mladenovic is one of the few players who enjoys venturing forward and chancing her arm at the net. Mladenovic, fresh from her first main draw victory of 2020, was punished for a couple of loose service games in the opening set and was unable to generate any significant momentum in the second as her record in the last-16 of Dubai slumped to 0-4. The Czech won a torrid 2016 Fed Cup final clash 16-14 in the third, and perhaps some feeling from that meeting resurfaced when Pliskova, asked about the form of Mladenovic on the eve of the tournament, said coolly: “I don’t know actually in which form she is in right now. H2H Rankings progression with comparison between the 2 players about their performance on hard courts, grass, clay and carpet Pliskova out of US Open after shock second-round defeat kerber.jpg. Pliskova’s opponent in the final is seventh-seeded Petra Martic, who defeated Kristina Mladenovic 6-0, 6-3 in the other semifinal. To find out more about our use of cookies and how you can disable them, please see our Privacy Policy. After the blowout first set, it was hard to compute that this was the same Mladenovic who ripped the Fed Cup final from the Australians at Perth last November. ATP & WTA Kristina Mladenovic head to head tennis search. “I think it was [a] very tough first round, but good test to start with such a tough opponent,” Pliskova said after her victory over the world No.41. Will be used in accordance to our Privacy Policy. Even though she played some great shots, some good serves, I think I was in charge of most of the games. Head to head and prediction for upcoming matches Kristina Mladenovic vs Karolina Pliskova . Pliskova sprang to 2-0 without dropping a point, wiped two break point chances to hold for 3-0 and by the time she secured a double break for 4-0 there were signs of panic from the Frenchwoman, whose parents and brother were nervous spectators. Pliskova moves on to face the winner of Laura Siegemund and wildcard Coco Vandeweghe. She made a ferocious start on Tuesday. It set the tone for the opening set, in which Mladenovic wrestled with her consistency while Pliskova was able to churn out service holds without facing a break point, despite making only 46% of her first deliveries on serve. The Czech won a torrid 2016 Fed Cup final clash 16-14 in the third, and perhaps some feeling from that meeting resurfaced when Pliskova, asked about the form of Mladenovic on the eve of the tournament, said coolly: “I don’t know actually in which form she is in right now. We use cookies to provide our services and for analytics and marketing. The 26-year-old won all three rubbers, against Ajla Tomljanovic, a tide-turning thriller against No.1 Ash Barty, and the decisive doubles. Pliskova was right to be wary of Mladenovic. I'm not saying I can't lose. “But I think with her it has always been more about me. DUBAI, UAE – No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova eased into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over qualifier Kristina Mladenovic. Neither player’s delivery would be impressive over the course of the match, with Mladenovic serving four of her five first-set double faults in the second game, allowing Pliskova to break under relatively little strain. Martic won her first title this year — in Istanbul — before she reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time at Roland Garros and made the Top 20 rankings. Pliskova was not so charitable, and after another shaky service game from Mladenovic, she secured a double break then held once more to set up a quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina, who downed Pliskova's Fed Cup teammate Katerina Siniakova, later in the day on Wednesday. Pliskova was right to be wary of Mladenovic. . The languid Czech with the easy power and wolf-grey eyes has her sights set on a breakthrough Grand Slam, hoping to shed the unwanted tag of the best player without a major title. DUBAI, UAE – No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova eased into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over qualifier Kristina Mladenovic. Martic won her first title this year — in Istanbul — before she reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time at Roland Garros and made the Top 20 rankings. Although she was able to set up opportunities, such as a forehand chance to go 0-30 up on the Pliskova serve in the third game, these were invariably missed. If I'm solid, if I am there just focus every point, I think it should not happen.”. By contrast, Pliskova was solid throughout, making 14 winners to just 10 unforced errors and converting on four of seven break points. Pliskova leads 3:2 in matches against Mladenovic. Having played four matches, including three qualifiers, to reach this point against an opponent untested in these conditions this year, it might have been expected that the French No.1 would settle quicker, but Pliskova rattled through her opening service game after serving a double fault. Of course, sometimes it can be even I play good, but I can still lose, especially to the top players, especially to the players which also have a big game,” she said. Pliskova’s opponent in the final is seventh-seeded Petra Martic, who defeated Kristina Mladenovic 6-0, 6-3 in the other semifinal. The Czech herself double faulted to fall behind 0-30 but served out the victory in 84 minutes. Her Fed Cup win-loss record is 9–7 in singles and 11–2 in doubles. “It’s always a tough one against her. Although the WTA World No.3 was below her best in terms of her serving, she found the resources to score victory in one hour eight minutes against an opponent she had eliminated from the Australian Open previously this year. Boasting arguably the best first-serve, first-stroke combo in the game, Pliskova snapped up the set 6-1 in 25 minutes, blasting nine winners to one. “But overall I think I had it pretty much all the match under my control. “Well done, Karolina, Melbourne loves you!” shouted a fan courtside, while the relieved winner lifted her racquet in acknowledgement. I know it’s going to be a lot about me. I like to play in the sun. We played in Australia, so I knew what to expect. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to our use of cookies. I think we had couple tough games. She had six aces. “With my game, there is not really anybody who I would be super scared of because it's mostly about me. @KaPliskova claims the opener, 6-1 #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/JYKmSxmPwL. Mladenovic was the women's doubles runner-up in four other Grand Slam tournaments – the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, the 2016 US Open, the 2018 US Open, and the 2019 Australian Open. Pliskova, who could have been serving for the match, instead found herself serving at 4-5 to save the set. Tennis Australia acknowledges that the AO is held on Aboriginal Land and we extend our respects to the Traditional Owners, their ancestors and Elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People. Melbourne is already a favourite stop for the 27-year-old, though it would top her cities ranking if she were to clinch her first major here. A quick break gave the Czech the advantage, which she built upon with an awkward service hold. Karolína Pliskova’s power hitting dominated the marquee first match at Rod Laver Arena, the No.2 seed blasting through Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 7-5. Kristina Mladenovic vs. Karolina Pliskova - Match Highlights (R1) | Australian Open 2020. The 28-year-old Martic broke three times in a 21-minute opening set and sealed victory with her third ace. Coming off a third Brisbane title, Pliskova thrives in Australia, site of her best major performance of 2019, when she was shaded by eventual champion Naomi Osaka in the semis but only after overcoming Serena Williams in a dramatic quarterfinal, from four match points and 5-1 down in the third set. Even if she’s playing great, I think I can still beat her.” So she proved. She held an imperious game to love and moved ahead 6-5 when Mladenovic conceded her serve on a double fault. Every week receive player features, tournament news, and WTA Insider content with the WTA First Serve newsletter. They were locked at 2-2 in previous matches though this was their first meeting in a major. Pliskova, who had fallen off her cracking pace, held with thunderous serving and then seemed to have the match in hand when she broke to lead 4-3, two service games from the win. Pliskova maintained the ascendancy at the beginning of the second as the 2019 Fed Cup winner continued to struggle to find her groove. Mladenovic stiffened her resistance in the second set, saving a breakpoint to hold the opening game and threatening to break the Czech’s serve at 2-1 with a delicate drop shot winner. It was quite a solid first round,” she said after taking her record against the 26-year-old to 4-2 in her favor. Kristina Mladenovic vs Karolina Pliskova all matches, with stats on their H2H rivalry. The question was whether Pliskova’s heavy baseline artillery would allow her to create chances in the forecourt. Head To Head. Pliskova clinched her third straight win against Tomljanovic this season, taking 93% of her first service points to reach her fifth final of the year. Last match was played this year at AO and Pliskova won 6-2 7-5.Pliskova is currently ranked at the third sport in the world while Kiki Mladenovic … Out of nowhere, Pliskova gave back the advantage, Mladenovic varying the pace and loop on her shots enough to draw an error and level for 4-4, her first break. More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Karolina Pliskova raced through her first Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships match of 2020 against qualifier Kristina Mladenovic. They were locked at 2-2 in previous matches though this was their first meeting in a major. And although she had lost to Mladenovic previously in Dubai - back in 2013 - that was not a factor that played on her mind.