SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Pliskova unfazed by Open attention

Karolina Pliskova has eased through to the Australian Open second round after making light work of Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-2 6-0.

Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic
Czech world No.5 Karolina Pliskova is looking for a senior grand slam title at the Australian Open. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Karolina Pliskova has continued her perfect start to 2017, breezing into the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win.

The Brisbane International winner was wayward on serve but ruthless once the ball was in play, thrashing Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-0 on Tuesday.

The US runner-up missed last week's tournament in Sydney due to a leg injury but was unhampered as she bashed 26 winners past her Spanish opponent.

She however admitted being struck by a bout of nerves during the opening stages of her clash on Rod Laver Arena.

Just half of the Czech's first serves landed in but it mattered little, with Sorribes Tormo unable to offer much resistance.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I had a few days off after Brisbane...now everything is fine," the fifth-seed said.

"I was a little bit nervous in the beginning (and) made a lot of mistakes on my forehand, especially on first serves.

"But overall, in the second set, my game improved a little bit..but not the best, I would say."

Temperatures were well above 30C when Pliskova took to the centre court but she was unfazed by the heat.

"I felt okay but I was there an hour, so... I think if I would stay longer, it would be worse."

Pliskova is equally unperturbed by the extra attention she has received since beating Serena Williams, progressing to the US Open final last year and leaping into the top-ten.

"I heard few stuff, but I'm not thinking about this," the world No.5 said.

"I just don't want to get it into my head. I just want to continue in those things what I was doing the second half of the year last year and even in Brisbane.

"I think there are still better players than me."

Pliskova next faces Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova, who upset world No.32 Monica Niculescu in a topsy-turvy 6-2 4-6 6-4 match over two hours and 16 minutes.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world