Pliskova breaking new ground

Karolina Pliskova is learning to love the French Open after reaching the third round for the first time.

The Czech is the second seed in a wide open women’s field but has struggled to translate her results on hard courts to clay.

She had won just two matches in five previous visits to Roland Garros, and is still searching for her best form.

But a 6-2 4-6 6-3 victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova set up a thirdround meeting with German Carina Witthoeft.

While Pliskova breaks new ground, fifth seed Elina Svitolina is trying to live up to her billing as the best player of 2017.

The Ukrainian shot to the top of the yearly standings by lifting the Italian Open trophy in Rome just before the tournament, and she kept her title hopes alive with a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Tsvetana Pironkova.

Title favourite Simona Halep is putting worries over her ankle injury behind her and defeated Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-3 but it was a different story for Eugenie Bouchard.

Like Halep, the Canadian is nursing a torn ligament and she was brushed aside 6-3 6-0 by 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

Agnieszka Radwanska came from a set down to beat Alison van Uytvanck 6-7 (3/7) 6-2 6-3 while there were also wins for French duo Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet.

Picture: Getty. Karolina Pliskova is through to the third round of the French Open for the first time.

Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Alison van Uytvanck in three sets.