By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, July 6, 2017
The Wimbledon lawn was a rocky road for Magdalena Rybarikova in the past.
The world No. 87 turned Centre Court into a feel-good platform pulling off the biggest upset of The Championships so far.
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Rybarikova dispensed finesse and creativity toppling third-seeded Karolina Pliskova, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, to reach the Wimbledon third round for the second time in three years.
Ranked a career-high No. 31 three years ago, Rybarikova returned to the pro circuit in March, playing primarily ITF tournaments, after rehabbing from a pair of surgeries. She played with calm aggression against the Roland Garros semifinalist today.
A favorite among many to reach the final, Pliskova joined her Czech Fed Cup teammate, Petra Kvitova, falling at the second hurdle.
American Madison Brengle upset two-time champion Kvitova, who was playing in just her third tournament of the season, in yesterday’s second round.
Down a set and a break, Rybarikova turned up her court craft and quickness, beating the US Open finalist to the ball and prevailing in several key running rallies denying Pliskova her shot of surpassing Angelique Kerber for the world No. 1 ranking.
A streaking Pliskova had won 10 of her last 11 matches, including conquering Caroline Wozniacki to win Eastbourne last weekend.
Yet, the 6-foot-1 Czech had not surpassed the second round in five prior Wimbledon appearances and admittedly struggles with the low bounce off the lawns. Rybarikova knows it and made Pliskova bend for tough shots from awkward spots.
Rybarikova matched the WTA ace lead with six aces and imposed her net skills, winning 24 of 35 trips to net.
Though Rybarikova only won back-to-back Wimbledon matches once in her career, she carried the confidence that comes from winning Wimbledon warm-up tournaments at Surbiton and Ilkey and reaching the Nottingham semifinals.
It was Rybarikova’s first win over a Top 10 player this season and propels her into a meeting with Lesia Tsurenko with a trip to the round of 16 on the line.
Eight opening round exits in Rybarikova’s nine career SW19 appearances didn’t exactly evoke widespread anticipation of an impending upset when she took Centre Court against Karolina Pliskova.
The third-seeded Czech, however, knew the danger the world No. 87 posed.
“I think it's the toughest draw in the second round so far for me on the Grand Slams,” Pliskova said before the match. For being seeded, I think it's very tough, tough round.
“Like I said, we still didn't play, but I know she can be really dangerous. Especially now she was coming back at injury, she had some good wins. Definitely she's ready to play. On grass I think she can be dangerous with her game which she's having. She can play a lot of slices, dropshots, serving well, also good at the net. Expecting a tough match, definitely.”
On a sultry afternoon—the hottest day of the tournament so far—Rybarikova’s fitness, her ability to change direction quickly and her accuracy striking on the run were key components to the upset.
Rybarikova played the pivotal points with more care and clarity. She converted four of five break-point chances and took her cracks when she had them. Rybarikova hit 30 winners—three more than the powerful Pliskova.
Match point summed up the afternoon as Pliskova pounded a forehand down the line only to see Rybarikova anticipate the strike and spin a backhand winner into the open court to close an impressive two hour, 18-minute victory.