Sharapova psyched for Pliskova test
PARIS — The topic was the location of Maria Sharapova’s upcoming third-round match at the French Open, and a reporter noted it likely will be at one of the main arenas at Roland Garros, given that it involves 2016 US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova.
“Well,” came the riposte, “there is also Sharapova.”
This was delivered with Sharapova’s chin resting on her right hand and was followed by a bit of a staredown, as if to say: Let’s not forget who you’re talking to here.
The 31-year-old Russian has, after all, been ranked No 1. She does, after all, own five major titles. And that total does, after all, include a pair from Roland Garros.
She is playing in the claycourt Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2015, though, and she advanced on Wednesday by beating 50th-ranked Donna Vekic of Croatia 7-5, 6-4.
“I don’t think there is ever, like, a perfect way to go into a match. I think you always have to feel that you’re improving and there are things that you’re working on, because that will always make you better,” the 28thseeded Sharapova said.
“There are a lot of things I feel I could have done better the last two matches and I hope I will.”
She missed the 2016 French Open while serving a doping suspension, then was denied a wild-card entry last year, when her ranking was too low to earn automatic entry.
Pliskova’s main weapon is her serve, which Sharapova knows will provide a test.
“I don’t expect extremely long rallies against an opponent like that. But sometimes (that’s) not what it takes to win a match, and I think you have to kind of take care of your service games,” Sharapova said.
“And take care of the return. But that side of the game, I feel, has improved in the last few months.”
Pliskova wasn’t at all shy about sizing things up against Sharapova, saying: “I believe I have (a) better serve than she (does), so I think that can be the deciding key.”
And the Czech appeared to be relishing the mind games when she said: “She can do a lot of mistakes ... a lot of free points from double-faults.”
After her 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Lucie Safarova on Wednesday, Pliskova said she has been thinking about taking on Sharapova since the draw was made.
“For me, it was the goal to play her in the third round,” Pliskova said, adding a few moments later: “I believe I have a good chance to win.”