‘Ugly match’ lifts Pliskova to Australian Open victory

No. 2 seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund in a self-described “ugly match” Thursday to reach the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The former World No. 1 fell behind 3-1 in the opener before finding her form and winning the next six games in the 6-3, 6-3 decision.

“I think she has a very ugly game for me, so I’m never going to feel amazing playing her. I’m just happy to be through because this was an ugly match for me,” Pliskova said.

Up next for Pliskova is No. 30 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian advanced with a 7-5, 7-6 (1) win over Taylor Townsend.

No. 26 seed Danielle Collins lost 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 to Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Collins’ 48 winners were cancelled out by 57 unforced errors, including 25 in the third set.

Putintseva will face Wimbledon champion and No. 4 seed Simona Halep of Romania, who moved into the third round with a 6-2, 6-4 win against British qualifier Harriet Dart.

Her ball doesn’t have that much power to play against, so I had to work a little bit more,” Halep said.

No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine served nine aces and won 74 per cent of her points at the net in a 6-2, 7-6 (6) win against Lauren Davis.

Svitolina has reached the third round in 13 of her last 14 majors. She will meet Garbine Muguruza of Spain, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 winner against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

Other seeded players advancing to the final 32 included No. 9 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, No. 16 Elise Mertens of Belgium, No. 17 Angelique Kerber of Germany, No. 19 Donna Vekic of Croatia and No. 28 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia.

Catherine Cartan Bellis eliminated No. 20 seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-4.