Pliskova’s “Super Aggressive” Charge Into Melbourne Park’s Last Eight

Pliskova, who had a difficult 2022 and missed the Australian Open the previous year due to a wrist injury, was ruthless in making it to her 11th Grand Slam quarterfinal. Karolina Pliskova, a former world number one, defeated Zhang Shuai 6-0, 6-4 on Monday at the Australian Open in a “very aggressive” display to keep herself on track for her first Grand Slam victory.

The 30th-seeded Czech player maintained her assured form at Melbourne Park with a scorching serving performance, hammering down 12 aces as she defeated the 23rd-seeded Chinese player on the Kia Arena show-court.

Pliskova, who sped through the opening set in only 21 minutes, said, “I thought I started really well today, super aggressive.”

But, especially during the first set, I was going all out. In the second set, she slowed down a little bit, but she also got better at playing. maybe a little bit wiser

But I’m just glad I got through since I believe the second set might go any way.

Pliskova, who had a difficult 2022 and missed the Australian Open the previous year due to a wrist injury, was ruthless in making it to her 11th Grand Slam quarterfinal.

The 30-year-old has 16 WTA Tour victories and advanced to the 2019 Melbourne Park semifinals.

Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur, the top two seeds, are already out, but Pliskova, who has yet to drop a set, has a chance to advance all the way.

“The best game I ever played”
She told reporters, “I think the serve was really working for me well in these matches.

“I firmly believe that this was my finest game thus far, especially the opening set. I’m pleased that I can feel the ball fairly well.

For a spot in the semi-final, Pliskova will take on Magda Linette of Poland, ranked 45th in the world, who upset France’s Caroline Garcia, the fourth seed.

Pliskova said of Linette, who will be playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the age of 30, “I watched her a little bit this week.”

“I believe she significantly improved her game. She began to have faith. You can clearly see that. She is a fighter and is playing excellently from the baseline.

I’m sorry, but I can’t give her the time or the game she requests.

“If I continue to play as I did today, I don’t think anyone will be able to compete with that,”

Pliskova dropped from fourth in the world to finish outside the top 30 for the first time since 2013 during the previous season.

As her performance on the court plummeted, she was knocked out of the French Open in the second round by a 277th-ranked qualifier along the way.

Last year was difficult, she admitted, especially because she missed her favorite nation and event, Australia.

“It was challenging to get in shape again, but I’m glad that I’m back competing at the level I want to.

Being in the second week of a Slam is always fantastic, and I’m hoping I can remain for a little while longer.

She fired Sascha Bajin, the German who had helped Naomi Osaka win back-to-back Grand Slam tournaments at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open, after another second-round loss at Wimbledon.

She rehired Bajin in December, and her form has quickly improved. On Monday, she could be seen beaming courtside.

Together, we have accomplished a lot, she stated. That is why it brought him back, then. I think we will continue to succeed and play in a ton more competitions. So hopefully we can finally bring home some hardware as a team.