Eastbourne | Pliskova underlines her Wimbledon potential
Pliskova with her third trophy of the season.
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Karolina Pliskova has established herself as a strong favourite for the women’s crown at Wimbledon in a fortnight’s time by winning the Aegon International at Eastbourne on Saturday.
The serve is definitely my biggest weapon and, if it’s working, then it’s real trouble for the opponent
Karolina Pliskova
Seeded three, the Czech beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4 6-4 in a final which she never looked to lose. Her big serve and powerful forehand had Wozniack on the back foot and despite her famous retrieving skills, the Dane was unable to make much of an impression.
For Pliskova, the beaten finalist last year when she lost to Dominika Cibulkova, it was her third title of the season and ninth overall as she became the first Czech to lift the trophy since Jana Novotna in 1998. She then went on to win Wimbledon, so the omens are good for Pliskova!
While the Czech celebrated, Wozniacki was not too disheartened at losing her fourth final of the year. “I thought I played really well, I did what I could today,” Wozniacki said following her defeat. “I had trouble getting the serves back, but it’s great preparation before Wimbledon.”
The Czechs serve was certainly on form as she struck 10 aces allowing Wozniacki just four break points in her attempts to get back into the match.
“I’m really happy I got the trophy this time,” Pliskova said remembering her loss last year. “I feel quite okay on grass … The serve is definitely my biggest weapon and, if it’s working, then it’s real trouble for the opponent.”
“Definitely this feels better. I was hoping I could go one step further and lift the trophy and that’s what I did.
” I’m still waiting for some good results at Wimbledon. I know it’s going to be tough to do well in Wimbledon, a lot of matches this week, but I’m going to try.”
Pliskova has been the player to watch this year reaching her first grand slam final at the US Open and then following that up with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian and reaching the semi-finals at the French.
