Krejcikova is on a roll again, will she attack another Grand Slam title?

Seven months. That’s how much time has passed since Barbora Krejcikova’s triumph of a lifetime, when the 26-year-old Czech sensationally won Rolland Garros. Since then, her career has taken off to dizzying heights.

Olympic doubles gold, a move into the top 10 of the singles rankings, a valuable doubles title at the Tournament of Champions, she became the Czech number one. In the last 3 Grand Slams, she’s reached at least the eight finals.

She has followed that up at this year’s Australian Open, where she has already reached the quarterfinals. Which opponent will she face for the semifinals? Will she challenge for a second Grand Slam title? What could be a big motivation for her?

The Czech tennis player started the new season in Sydney. It was supposed to be a real performance test before the upcoming Australian Open. Krejcikova confirmed at this tournament that she is in excellent form. She made it to the title match. She beat Cristiano, Garcia and Kontaveit on her way to the final.

Especially the scalp of the last one was very valuable, Krejcikova lost to the Estonian at the Champions Tournament, so the revenge was completed. In the final, she faced Badosa. This duel had a great quality, the nerve-wracking battle was finally won by the Spaniard, the title escaped by a whisker. Krejcikova’s preparatory tournament was excellent, she could leave for the first Grand Slam of the season with a feeling of great satisfaction.

The road to the quarterfinals was not easy at all

Before the start of the tournament, Krejcikova was one of the big favourites for the title. A fairly favourable draw should have helped her to achieve success. She passed the opening rounds without losing a set. However, the road to the second week of the tournament was not so easy. The match against Ostapenko in the 3rd round was a crisis match. In the battle for the eight-finals, the Czech did not win the first half of the match at all. At 4::6 1::3, her prospects of advancing looked really bleak.

But Krejcikova did not give up. She managed to turn the unfavourable match situation in her favour and thanks to a great turnaround she advanced to the eighth round. In the battle for the quarterfinals she faced Azarenka (2-time Australian Open champion).

The Czech tennis player handled her famous opponent perfectly. She gave the best performance of the tournament, giving Azarenka no chance. After a clear win 6::2 6::2 she could celebrate her progress to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, at the same time reaching her tournament best.

Is winning the title a realistic ambition?

Her quarterfinal opponent will be Madison Keys. The American is in fantastic form at the start of the season. She won the title in Adelaide, beating some strong players (Gauff, Svitolina). She’s also had a great performance at the Australian Open. She lost just one set on her way to the quarterfinals. In the eighth round she clearly beat Badosa, who was also one of the favourites.

Keys is a typical hitter, relying on a great serve and a strong forehand. Krejcikova will not have an easy time of it. Her indisputable advantage may be that she has played her last 2 matches with tennis players with very similar playing styles. Krejcikova will be a slight favourite, her opponent’s game will suit her. Expect a very even match, the little things will decide the match.

If Krejcikova advances, she will probably face Barty in the semifinals. The Australian champion is in great form, playing at home, she is the biggest favourite for the title. The semifinal match with Krejcikova could be called an early final. No players here are playing as well as Barty or Krejcikova.

The winner of this match would also be a big favorite in the final. The other half of the field is not as strong. Swiatek doesn’t shine, the other big favorites are already out(Halep, Sabalenka). Krejcikova’s performance is on the rise, her game is excellent. However, only the semifinals will really show if the attack on the second Grand Slam title is realistic.

Will the Czech be the new world number one?

Krejcikova’s next move in the rankings could also be a big motivation. She is currently ranked 3rd, which is great in itself. But nowhere is it written that it can’t go even higher. Moreover, she will be defending a lot of points in the second half of the season, so a certain points cushion would definitely be useful. At the moment he can think about Sabalenka’s 2nd place.

She is only 165 points behind Belarus. The 1st place, occupied for a long time by Ashleigh Barty, is not unattainable either. With a certain constellation of stars, Krejcikova can become the new world number one. However, this is unlikely to happen. Barty would have to drop out in the quarterfinals, Krejcikova would also need to win the whole tournament. There’s a lot at stake, the Czech number one definitely has the motivation.

Source: Tenisportal, Twitter, Livesport