Apia International Sydney

Ana’s passage at the Apia International Sydney ended in the first round as she fell 6-4, 6-2 to world No. 11 Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic. Against last year’s finalist, the 28-year-old could only convert one out of her six break opportunities as she suffered a sour defeat after one hour and nineteen minutes of play.

Entering the competition as a wildcard, Ana was handed an extremely difficult draw facing fifth seeded Pliskova in the opening round. The former world No. 1 had never before beaten Pliskova in two earlier encounters and was again forced on the backfoot from the very beginning.

Indeed, the Czech started the match with great flair, breaking Ana’s serve in the third game. The world No. 11 thereafter surged into a 5-2 double-break lead, before the 28-year-old managed to snatch back one of them. However, Ana’s resurrection was not resistant to the strong-serving Pliskova, who sealed the opening set at the fifth time of asking with her eighth ace of the match – she would deliver fourteen during the entire contest.

Ana could not take advantage of three game points and three break points early in the second act and fell 2-0 behind. Pliskova on the other hand remained very effective and unleashed a couple of classy backhand winners. The Czech added another break and cruised in firm control to the victory.

Ana will now head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, which will kick off next Monday.

Results

R1: Ana vs. K. Pliskova (WTA-11)                4-6, 2-6