Pliskova wins again and completes Lehecka in the quarterfinals! Krejcikova and Fruhvirtova are out.

The second week of this year’s Australian Open has begun and the Czech colours are still in play. In men’s singles, Jiri Lehecka reached the quarterfinal stage for the first time in his career. The Czech Republic could boast three representatives in the women’s singles eight finals, but only former world number one Karolina Pliskova made it through to the final.

The four-time Grand Slam semifinalist is in fine form. Karolína Plíšková is going through the Australian Open without losing a set and is aiming for the title. The “Ace Queen”, as the more successful of the Pliskova twins is nicknamed, has once again confirmed that she has by no means said the last word in her career.

Barbora Krejcikova

On the contrary, Barbora Krejcikova finished her journey through the tournament on Sunday. Against the world number three Jessica Pegula, she managed to stave off two set points in the first set at 3-5, but even that was not enough to take the lead, 5-7. The second set was already a clear-cut affair and the former French Open champion had to say goodbye to singles play after a 5-7, 2-6 result.

However, she still remains in the doubles bracket. Together with her teammate Kateryna Siniakova, they are the main favourites for the title as the number one seed. They have already won their third match and are currently waiting for their quarterfinal opponents.

Linda Fruhvirtova

Linda Fruhvirtová, only 17 years old and a rising star, scored the most significant success of her short career so far with her win over compatriot Marketa Vondrousova. The former Pardubice Junior winner finally ended her singles career against Donna Vekic.

The tennis player from Prague was an equal opponent for the Croatian. Even after a virtually flawless second set, she managed to level the match at 1:1. She thus fed her hopes of advancing to the top eight. In the end, she fell in the deciding set and leaves Australia with a 2-6, 6-1 and 3-6 record. In any case, she will move up to 11th in the WTA rankings, her new best.

Karolina Pliskova

The former world number one and finalist of the US Open or Wimbledon finds her lost form. So far, Karolina Pliskova is coming through this year’s Australian Open with flying colours. The biggest test for her so far was supposed to be the eighth-final duel with the seeded Chinese Shuai Zhang. But instead of a tough fight, it was a quick affair.

The opening set lasted only twenty-two minutes, the Czech gave her opponent a “canary” and everything looked clear. But the Chinese was not about to give her skin for free. She even led 4-2 in the second set. In the end, Pliskova came back.

Thanks to the help of twelve aces, she went on to win 6-0, 6-4 and the coveted promotion. In the quarterfinals, the Czech player will face the unpredictable Magda Linette of Poland, whom she lost to 4-6, 1-6 at last year’s Billie Jean King Cup. In any case, the overall mutual balance looks better for Pliskova.

Source: Livesport, Twitter