By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, July 8, 2021
Knowledge is power.
Karolina Pliskova is aiming to channel lessons learned from past battles with Ash Barty into proactive play in the Wimbledon final.
More: Brilliant Barty Into Wimbledon Final
The eighth-seeded Pliskova played with power and poise withstanding 18 aces from second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph to reach her first Wimbledon final.
It's a bit of deja vu all over again for Pliskova, who will try to knock off a world No. 1 in her second Slam final. Pliskova toppled world No. 1 Serena Williams to reach the 2016 US Open final bowing to Angelique Kerber in a tight three-set title match.
On Saturday, Pliskova will try to knock off world No. 1 Barty for the first time since her 6-4, 6-4 win over the Aussie at the 2018 US Open. Pliskova knows what she's in for vs. Barty—and says she wouldn't want it any other way.
"So far my second final, second time I'm playing against a player No. 1," Pliskova said. "But, no, I think it can't be any better than that. You want to play the best player in the final. Of course, I don't want anybody else but her there."
Barty has won five of their seven meetings though they've split two prior grass clashes. In her victories, Barty has served effectively and used her low slice to make the 6'1" Czech bend low and dig balls off her shoelaces setting up Barty's crackling topspin forehand. Pliskova will try to take the first strike to prevent Barty from using her defusing slice backhand too often.
Pressure is the uknown element: in this Wimbledon final rematch of the 2019 Miami Open final will the world No. 1 bear a bigger burden as the favorite trying to raise the Rosewater Dish a decade after she won the Wimbledon junior girls championship? Or will former world No. 1 Pliskova, who owns 16 career titles, be so hungry to shed the label of best player yet to master a major get jittery at critical stages?
"I mean, we had some good matches. Of course, I lost couple times," Pliskova said. "But I think she has extremely difficult game to play. It's going to be difficult on grass because of her slice and just her game overall.
"It's a final. Anything can happen. Also for her, I mean, I know she has a Grand Slam, but also for her is the first Wimbledon final. I think we both have good chances. It's going to be hopefully good match to watch as well because with her it's always interesting. We going to see what's going to happen."
Photo credit: Getty