And rounding it off earlier from Day 10 of the 2023 Australian Open yesterday was one of the last women singles’ Quarter-Final match ups between Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v Magda Linette (Poland).
Both players were side by side from the beginning but one player has to end up first as this tie goes on, and it turns out that Linette’s fairytale campaign here goes onto another day after she closed out Pliskova in straight sets. Now she’s set for another huge test that could see Linette step into Saturday’s main event for the trophy ahead of her next meeting in the semi-finals later tonight v 5th seed Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.
The final score here at Rod Laver Arena was 3-6 & 5-7.
Pliskova has been in good form lately over the last few months with back-to-back last 8s off the back of the US Open last year to now onto the next grand slam here at the Australian Open. Her next semis opportunity will have to come next time though, having last made the semis here a four years ago plus the Wimbledon final two years ago to the now-retired Ash Barty. She fired off not bad in the early stages through both sets; she just wasn’t consistent when trying to connect the other half momentum & arrest Linette there, which allowed her opponent to shut out Pliskova before it was too late.
And how good was Linette with another amazing victory in the QF to continue her breakthrough campaign here at Melbourne Park. She read Pliskova’s game well with an easy bridge towards the opening set lead before Linette responded to her opponent’s next set performance under pressure that was enough to land her past the finish line first. Well played by the 30-year-old as it will be interesting to see what Linette has to offer against a 3 x semi finalist in Sabalenka. If she can get def. Sabalenka tonight, then playing in Saturday’s Final & even taking home the women’s Aus Open title will cap off one of the most incredible campaigns ever seen in women’s singles grand slam history.
