Czech Karolina Pliskova has claimed the junior girls’ singles crown at Australian Open 2010 with a straight-sets victory over British sensation Laura Robson on Saturday afternoon.
The 17-year-old sixth seed was steadier and more powerful than her left-handed opponent, cruising through the first set but being pushed in the second before prevailing 6-1 7-6(5).
It is the second consecutive year Robson has reached the girls’ final at Melbourne Park, and in both years, she lost in straight sets. The 16-year-old Brit entered Saturday’s final in fantastic form, having scored a win in the women’s senior qualifying draw, reaching the women’s doubles quarter-finals with Australian Sally Peers, and dropping just one set in the junior event.
Her path through the junior event included a straight-sets win over Pliskova’s twin sister Kristyna in the semi-finals, and at the beginning of the final, it appeared that Karolina was intent on avenging that defeat.
Pounding groundstrokes consistently into the corners, Pliskova watched as Robson sprayed the ball everywhere around Rod Laver Arena except inside the court.
Breaking Robson in the second game on her way to a 3-0 lead, Pliskova’s big serve was proving difficult for Robson to handle. Three aces by the Czech in the seventh game handed her the first set in just 22 minutes.
Although signs were more encouraging for Robson in the second set, errors continued to hurt her chances. She was broken in the opening game and did not get on the board until the third game, indicating her fighting spirit with a loud “come on!”
Pliskova’s serve continued to be the difference, and she held in the sixth game to move ahead 4-2. When the Czech gained a break point in the following game, things were looking extremely grim for Robson.
However, the Brit gritted her teeth, coming up with some big serves and a successful trip to the net to hold serve and remain in the match.
Pliskova first showed signs of nerves when serving for the match up 5-4. Incorrectly challenging a line call on a serve left her with no more challenges, and four errors in the game allowed Robson to break back and level scores, much to the delight of the small but vocal crowd.
Robson had now cut down on her errors and was finding the corners with her lethal forehand, while Pliskova seemed to be having difficulty shrugging off the effects of her poor performance in the 10th game.
The set went to a tie-break, and Robson used her momentum to surge ahead to a 4-1 lead. But from there, she reverted to her habits earlier in the match, committing errors off routine shots and becoming agitated.
Pliskova claimed five consecutive points to reel in the Brit’s lead, and she closed out the match on her second championship point thanks to a double-fault from Robson.
Apart from her participation in the Traralgon junior tournament a fortnight ago, it is the first time Pliskova has played a junior event since April 2007.
Fast facts
- Pliskova finished with 13 aces to Robson’s three.
- Pliskova registered a fastest first serve speed of 187km/h.
- Robson had 31 unforced errors to Pliskova’s 23.
- As the winner of the girls’ event, Pliskova is guaranteed a wildcard into Australian Open qualifying next year.
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