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Pliskova: I wouldn't want anyone but Ash

3 minute read

Karolina Pliskova has made it into the toughest possible Wimbledon final against the world No.1 Ash Barty - and she reckons she would not have it any other way.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA .
KAROLINA PLISKOVA . Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Karolina Pliskova has made it into the toughest possible Wimbledon final against Australia's world No.1 Ash Barty - and she reckons she would not have it any other way.

The big-serving Czech couldn't help offering a rueful smile when she noted after her semi-final victory over Aryna Sabalenka that, five years after she first reached a grand slam final at the US Open, it's her misfortune to again be facing a world No.1 in the decider.

In 2016, it was Angelique Kerber who then ruled the roost and she beat Pliskova at Flushing Meadows in three thrilling sets.

Now, it's Barty - who coincidentally beat Kerber in straight sets on Thursday in the other semi - who awaits.

"So far, my second final, second time I'm playing against a player No.1," sighed Pliskova after coming from a set down to knock out the No.2 seed Sabalenka 5-7 6-4 6-4.

"But, no, I think it can't be any better than that. You want to play the best player in the final. Of course, I don't want anybody else but her there.

"We've had some good matches. Of course, I lost a couple times. But I think she has extremely difficult game to play. It's going to be difficult on grass because of her slice and just her game overall.

"It's a final. Anything can happen. Also for her, I mean, I know she has a grand slam (the 2019 French Open), but also for her is the first Wimbledon final.

"I think we both have good chances. It's going to be hopefully good match to watch as well, because with her it's always interesting."

It's a match that will perhaps suit Barty better than another clash with Sabalenka, with whom she's had three tough tussles this year.

Overall, Barty holds a 5-2 advantage over Pliskova.

"I know I lost couple times, but every time it was kind of close match, a good match actually. I never played a horrible match against her," Pliskova said.

The world No.13 said Barty's attractive all-court game might give her the edge in the aesthetic stakes.

"Of course she makes you feel a bit ugly with the game which she's playing," Pliskova said.

"But I had a lot of chances last match we played."

That was on the clay in the quarter-final at the Stuttgart Grand Prix in April when Pliskova stood two points away from victory on five separate occasions before Barty managed to eke out a victory.

"I know there's going to be many chances for me, as well (in the Wimbledon final)," said the 29-year-old Pliskova.

"She's a really good player. She has a grand slam. Of course she wants to win another one. I'm not expecting anything easy."

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