Pliskova Puts Away Gauff In 3; Osaka, Halep Advance In Madrid

Beleaguered Karolina Pliskova rallied from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in her Madrid Masters opener on Friday.

The Czech former No. 1 was just 9-7 on the season entering Madrid, but down a set in a first-time meeting with the teen, Pliskova corrected her double faults, got on a run and overcame some early third set troubles to pull through.

“We never played so it was definitely a difficult match. I think I didn’t start really well, but later in the match, I was finding by game and finding my serve. This was very important in this match because she can also serve very big,” Pliskova said in her on-court interview.

“I’m super happy that I’m through. I’ve played one semifinal here, so I’ve had a couple of good matches here in the past, but I’m hoping to hopefully improve my game in the next match.”

While Pliskova finished with nine double faults (seven in the first set) to 13 aces, Gauff tossed in 12 doubles.

Australian Open finalist Jen Brady followed by wrapping up the stadium session breezing past Venus Williams 6-2, 6-4. Brady will now face former French champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Earlier, Naomi Osaka made her 2021 clay debut easing past Misaki Doi 7-5, 6-2. Playing her first clay match in two years, Osaka failed to serve out the first at 5-4 but regrouped and won eight of the last 10 games over her countrywoman.

“I never really know what to expect because I feel like she always plays better when I play against her, so it’s a bit tough to manage controlling my emotions. But I think I was able to do it pretty well,” Osaka said.

“I started playing better in the second set, so movement-wise I think it can only get better. Hopefully as I put in more hours on the court, it will just keep improving.”

On Sunday, Osaka will take on Karolina Muchova.

Simona Halep also looked good with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. Halep had a scare leading 5-1 in the second when Sorribes Tormo won four straight games to level.

“She definitely played much better in the second set and she was more aggressive,” Halep said. “I lost a little bit of concentration at 5-1, and then I started to miss a little bit more. But even if I was set and 5-1 up, I knew that she can come back.”

Next for Halep is Saisai Zheng.

Victoria Azarenka, Elise Mertens, Maria Sakkari, Anett Kontaveit, Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who beat Madison Keys were also winners.

The former Top 8 Keys has now lost her last four matches and eight straight sets. She’s just 4-8 since the tour restarted last August.

On Saturday, the second round gets underway with Petra Kvitova against Angelique Kerber and French champs Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek return.

SATURDAY MADRID SCHEDULE
Manolo Santana Stadium
Starts at 11:00 AM
(1) Ash Barty (AUS) v Tamara Zidansek (SLO)
Laura Siegemund (GER) v (14) Iga Swiatek (POL)
Jill Teichmann (SUI) v Paolo Badosa (ESP)
Bernarda Pera (USA) v Belinda Bencic (SUI)

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