JAKARTA - Karolina Pliskova qualified for the last 16 of the Australian Open 2023 with a terrible status. He has never lost a set in Melbourne Park this year.
The 30-year-old from the Czech Republic defeated Russia's rank 97 Varvara Gracheva with a score of 6-4, 6-2 in the third round at the Rod Laver Arena, Saturday, January 21.
This appearance is in stark contrast to last season when he slipped from world number four at the start of the year to rank 31. That's the lowest year-end position since 2013.
Throughout that trip, he was also eliminated from the French Open following a second round defeat to the 277th ranked qualifier.
Pliskova, who has bagged 16 single titles during her career, in November 2020 for the first time was coached by Sascha Bajin, a German who helped Naomi Osaka win two consecutive Grand Slam titles. This figure also helped Osaka reach the final of Wimbledon 2021.
But after being caught in the second half at Wimbledon in the middle of last year, Pliskova decided to fire Babin. In December last year, Pliskova recalled the coach.
"Thank you for calling me," Babin tweeted. "Let's get that title."
The reunion has sparked a fire that is a new spirit for the Czech, who rose to world number one in July 2017.
Pliskova are rarely under significant threat at a tournament in Melbourne, having lost just 15 games in six sets so far.
He eliminated Gracheva, who previously ousted eighth seed Daria Kasatkina in the first half.
The win took Pliskova to the last 16 of the Australian Open for the fourth time, for which he will face China's 23rd seed Zhang Shuai, who defeated United States qualifier Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 today.
Pliskova were eliminated in the third round at Melbourne Park twice, namely in 2020 and 2021, and missed the tournament last year due to injury.
His best achievement was the 2019 semifinal when he lost to Osaka, who at that time was trained by Bajin.
"The last few years have been tough, especially when they missed last year's Australian Open," said Pliskova after finishing the game for 77 minutes today.
"I played well earlier this year. So I'm very happy to be here, enjoy it, happy to be back on this midfield with a two-set win."
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