Monica
Puig 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 9-7 Kristyna Pliskova (Australian Open R2)
Monica
Puig comes into this match as the favourite, coming off her career best
performance at the Sydney International, reaching the final only to suffer a
one-sided loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova. While Puig has her career best
performance, Kristyna Pliskova has come into the match with a shock victory
over home favourite Samantha Stosur in straight sets.
The first
set was very tight as there were 8 consecutive holds of service to start the
set with. The first break came late in the first set, and it was Pliskova who
made the first breakthrough by breaking Puig’s solid serve with some very
strong returns off Puig’s second services. Pliskova then successfully served
out the set 6-4 comfortably, hitting 2 aces along the way.
The 2nd
set was very close as well, with the 1st break only coming after 7
consecutive holds of serve. This time, it was Puig who drew first blood,
breaking Pliskova’s strong serve after Pliskova hit 3 consecutive unforced
errors from 40-30 up. While serving to level the match, Puig had set point at
40-30. However, Pliskova once again took advantage of Puig’s inability to get
her first serves in by hitting those strong returns to break back immediately
and get back on serve. As both players held continued to hold their serves, the
set ultimately had to be decided by a tiebreak. Pliskova dominated the tiebreak
early on, leading 6-3 and having 3 match points. She was about to close out the
match in straight sets, but Puig saved all 3 match points and won 5 points in a
row to win the tiebreak 8-6 and clinch the 2nd set.
The final
set was a thriller, with both players looking very solid and comfortable on
their serve. Pliskova threatened to break, but Puig managed to hold her nerves
and save the break points, saving break points at 2-3. Pliskova had her 4th
and 5th match point at 6-7, with Puig serving. However, Puig saved
both match points once again, with a Pliskova unforced error and a strong forehand
winner. In the end, Puig showed nerves of steel to hold her serve and make the
match back level at 7-7. Puig finally got her the first break of the final set,
breaking Pliskova’s serve after winning a hard-fought 16-shot rally on break
point. Serving for the match, Puig faced all kinds of troubles, with Pliskova
even earning a break point, threatening to break back immediately.
Nevertheless, Puig maintained her composure by saving the break point and got
to her first match point. A good serve coupled with a good follow-up finally
got the match a winner, with Monica Puig prevailing in the 2 hours and 20
minutes encounter.
This match
is definitely what you need to watch when you are looking for an excellent
serving display by both players. With both players winning above 75% of first
service points, you can see how strong and productive their serves are, with
Pliskova even breaking the record for the most number of aces in a single match
with 31 of them.
|
Puig
|
Kr. Pliskova
|
|
|
Aces
|
8
|
31
|
|
DFs
|
3
|
5
|
|
1st Serve
|
59%
|
60%
|
|
1st Serve Won
|
56/72 (78%)
|
52/65 (80%)
|
|
2nd Serve Won
|
28/50 (56%)
|
25/43 (58%)
|
|
Break Points
|
2/3 (67%)
|
2/7 (29%)
|
|
Winners
|
37
|
53
|
|
Unforced Errors
|
21
|
43
|
|
Points Won
|
115
|
115
|