PLISKOVA WILL NOT BANK ON RANKING

KAROLINA PLISKOVA insisted she is blocking out thoughts of becoming world No.1 after launching her bid for a first major.

Eastbourne winner and third seed Pliskova (top) will be the new name at the top of the women’s rankings if she triumphs at SW19.

The 25-year-old Czech took the first step on the road to the final with a 6-1 6-4 win over Russian Evgeniya Rodina (above).

But she said: “Being No.1 is not on my mind. I know it’s been for the last few weeks this thing about being world No.1 for a few players.

“I just don’t want to be focusing on this. For me it’s important to win the matches. I’m happy I passed the first round, especially when I was playing well in Eastbourne.

“I was expecting a worse match than I played today. I’m just happy I’m through and focusing on the next one.”

Pliskova – US Open runner-up last year – will face Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova in round two.

She said: “It’s the toughest draw in the second round so far for me in the Grand Slams.

“For being seeded, I think it’s a very tough round. I know she can be really dangerous.

“On grass I think she can be dangerous with her game. She can play a lot of slices, dropshots, serving well, also good at the net.”