MELBOURNE: Former world number one Karolina Pliskova stayed on course for a maiden Grand Slam title on Monday, overtaking Zhang Shuai 6-0, 6-4 and in the australian open quarter-finals.
The Czech 30th seed continued her confident run at Melbourne Park with a sizzling service display, hitting 12 aces to destroy China’s 23rd seed on the Kia Arena showcourt.
“I think I started really well today, super aggressive,” said Pliskova, who raced through the first set in just 21 minutes.
“But I was going for it, especially the first set. A bit slowed down in the second set, but she also started playing a bit better. Maybe a bit smarter.
“But I’m just glad I made it because the second set, it could go, I think, either way.”
Pliskova, who endured a torrid 2022 and missed the Australian Open last year with a wrist injury, was imperious to reach her 11th Grand Slam quarter-final.
The 30-year-old has won 16 WTA Tour titles and reached the semi-final at Melbourne Park in 2019.
Pliskova is yet to drop a set and on this form has the opportunity to go all the way, especially with the top two seeds, Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur, already out.
Pliskova will face Polish world number 45 Magda Linette for a spot in the semi-finals.
Last season, Pliskova fell from fourth in the world and finished outside the top 30 for the first time since 2013.
Along the way, she was knocked out of the French Open in the second round by a 277th ranked qualifier as her fortunes on the court bottomed out.
“Last year was tough, especially missing Australia, which is my favorite country and my favorite tournament,” she said.
“It was hard to get back into shape, but I’m happy to be back to the level I want to be.
“It’s always great to be in the second week of a Slam and I hope I can stay a little longer.”
Another second-round exit at Wimbledon prompted her to sack coach Sascha Bajin, the German who guided Naomi Osaka to back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open .
In December, she rehired Bajin, who was seen beaming in court on Monday, and her form recovery was swift.
“We had great success together,” she said.
“That’s why it brought him back. I think we have a lot more tournaments to come and a lot more success. So hopefully we can finally win trophies together.”
The Czech 30th seed continued her confident run at Melbourne Park with a sizzling service display, hitting 12 aces to destroy China’s 23rd seed on the Kia Arena showcourt.
“I think I started really well today, super aggressive,” said Pliskova, who raced through the first set in just 21 minutes.
“But I was going for it, especially the first set. A bit slowed down in the second set, but she also started playing a bit better. Maybe a bit smarter.
“But I’m just glad I made it because the second set, it could go, I think, either way.”
Pliskova, who endured a torrid 2022 and missed the Australian Open last year with a wrist injury, was imperious to reach her 11th Grand Slam quarter-final.
The 30-year-old has won 16 WTA Tour titles and reached the semi-final at Melbourne Park in 2019.
Pliskova is yet to drop a set and on this form has the opportunity to go all the way, especially with the top two seeds, Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur, already out.
Pliskova will face Polish world number 45 Magda Linette for a spot in the semi-finals.
Last season, Pliskova fell from fourth in the world and finished outside the top 30 for the first time since 2013.
Along the way, she was knocked out of the French Open in the second round by a 277th ranked qualifier as her fortunes on the court bottomed out.
“Last year was tough, especially missing Australia, which is my favorite country and my favorite tournament,” she said.
“It was hard to get back into shape, but I’m happy to be back to the level I want to be.
“It’s always great to be in the second week of a Slam and I hope I can stay a little longer.”
Another second-round exit at Wimbledon prompted her to sack coach Sascha Bajin, the German who guided Naomi Osaka to back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open .
In December, she rehired Bajin, who was seen beaming in court on Monday, and her form recovery was swift.
“We had great success together,” she said.
“That’s why it brought him back. I think we have a lot more tournaments to come and a lot more success. So hopefully we can finally win trophies together.”
