My Performance: Karolina Pliskova
Karolina Pliskova talks through her performance in her victory in the final of the Brisbane International.
Karolina Pliskova talks through her performance in her victory in the final of the Brisbane International.
World No.5 Dominika Cibulkova was in clinical form against Laura Siegemund, dropping just two games en route to the second round of the Apia International Sydney.
SYDNEY, Australia – Johanna Konta ended home hopes at the Apia International Sydney with a straight set win over Daria Gavrilova.
Following the first-round exits for Samantha Stosur and Arina Rodionova, Gavrilova was the last Australian remaining in the singles draw. However, to the disappointment of a partisan crowd, Konta withstood a late rally to run out a 6-1, 6-3 winner and secure a quarterfinal meeting against Daria Kasatkina.
The No.6 seed made a flying start, breaking in the opening game and dropping only four points during a dominant first set display. Another early break in the second continued this momentum, and while Gavrilova fought gallantly until the end she was unable to prevent Konta closing out victory at the sixth attempt.
.@JoKonta91 advances to @SydneyTennis Quarterfinals!
Beats Gavrilova 6-1, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/zv5xD5EOnF
— WTA (@WTA) January 10, 2017
In the previous match on court, Kasatkina upset World No.1 Angelique Kerber to leave Konta as the only seed remaining in the top half. “I knew going into the match it was going to be an incredibly tough one, she’s one of the best fighters on tour,” Konta said to BT Sport.
“It’s such a strong tournament, such depth, I know going into every single match that it’s going to be a tough one and I’m just going to have to, first and foremost, take care of things my end.”
Twelve months ago, Sydney-born Konta was about to announce herself to the tennis world with a semifinal run at the Australian Open. Now she is perched at No.10 in the world and, having also reached the semifinals in Shenzhen, is enjoying another profitable start to the tennis calendar.
“I’m just happy I have accumulated already a few matches under my belt in the first few weeks of the season. I feel quite pleased about that,” she added.
“I'm right here in Sydney, enjoying my time, trying to enjoy my involvement in the tournament as much as possible” @JoKonta91 #SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/FIWzCURaBZ
— Apia Intl Sydney (@SydneyTennis) January 10, 2017
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her semifinal win at the Apia International Sydney.
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her final defeat at the Apia International Sydney.
Qualifier Elise Mertens pulls off the first big surprise of 2017, conquering No.3 seed Monica Niculescu to win her first WTA title at the Hobart International.
Watch defending champion Angelique Kerber’s practice session ahead of the start of the Australian Open.
WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen | The second Insider Notebook of this year’s Australian Open takes in Lucie Safarova’s marathon, Serena Williams’ winning tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the weird world of Naomi Osaka.
Johanna Konta takes on Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Australian Open.
Watch Daria Gavrilova’s practice session at the Australian Open.