Former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova seems like she’s slowly warming to the duty after storming into the Australian Open second week for the primary time in 4 years.
Runner-up to Ash Barty within the 2021 Wimbledon remaining, Pliskova pounded down six aces and bossed Varvara Gracheva from the again in a 6-4 6-2 dispatch of the Russian on Saturday.
“My serve, it can be a really good weapon … and I’m not doing as much running from the baseline,” 30-year-old Pliskova mentioned.
The WTA’s perennial annual ace chief will play both American qualifier Katie Volynets or China’s twenty third seed Zhang Shuai for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Dangerous floater Donna Vekic additionally progressed to the fourth spherical on day 5, matching her effort from 2021, with a 6-2 6-2 disposal of Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz.
Vekic has reached the final 16 of all 4 slams however, lastly injury-free once more, has a golden alternative to safe a maiden quarter-final berth in Melbourne.
“I am really happy with my match today. I love this court. The last time I was here two years ago I had a lot of pain in my knee so I am happy to be walking out on this court playing free today,” the Croatian mentioned.
The 26-year-old world No.64 misplaced to eventual runner-up Jennifer Brady two years in the past.
On Monday, Vekic is for certain to play an unseeded Czech – both former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova or teenage ace Linda Fruhvirtova.
