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Karolina Pliskova survives scare to beat Zhang Shaui, advance to U.S. Open fourth round
Karolina Pliskova fought back to beat China’s Zhang Shuai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.
Karolina Pliskova showed the steel of a world number one as she fought off a match point to claim a riveting 3-6 7-5 6-4 comeback win over Zhang Shuai in the U.S. Open third round on Saturday.
Karolina Pliskova, runner-up at Flushing Meadows last year, would have lost her world number one ranking had she been beaten on Arthur Ashe Stadium but moved another step closer to a first career grand slam title.
Zhang Shaui was aggressive throughout the match but was ultimately worn down by the tall, big-serving Czech.
Karolina Pliskova needed an injury time out to attend to a sore arm in the second set, which she hopes will not bother her when she faces either American Jennifer Brady or Monica Niculescu of Romania.
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“I will have to improve in the next one,” the 25-year-old said in a courtside interview.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and I’ll be ready for my next match.”
The match was 25-year-old Zhang’s best showing against the tournament’s top seed but she came up short and is now winless in five matches against Karolina Pliskova.
