Karolina Pliskova Suffers a Devastating Loss to World Number 292 at WTA Abu Dhabi 2021

Czech tennis star Karolina Pliskova suffered a shock fourth-round loss to unheralded Russian, Anastasia Gasanova, at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Open on Saturday. 

Pliskova was surprisingly off-color against Gasanova

Though ranked a lowly 292nd, the Russian was literally all over the experienced Czech star, bossing both the sets and closing out the match 6-2, 6-4.

Pliskova fell behind the Russian in the opening set itself as the latter broke her serve and held her own to claim the set comfortably.

The Czech did try to make a match of it in the second set and even took the attack to the Russian, hitting some crisp winners past her. However, with the momentum firmly with her, the Russian broke Pliskova’s serve again to record the tournament’s first upset.

A timely wake-up call for Pliskova ahead of Australian Open

The shock loss would have served as a timely wake-up call for the lanky Pliskova as she bids to open her Grand Slam account at the Australian Open.

However, it’s still early days on the women’s Tour and the Czech will have some time on her hands to work on some flaws that showed up in the game before the action begins at Melbourne Park.

Karolina Pliskova still shaking off the rust from a long pandemic break

Coming off an extended pandemic break, a few of the top players are still in the process of shaking off the rust from the largely idle 2020 season.

Reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin got an all-mighty scare from Belgian Kirsten Flipkens on Friday before the latter suffered a freak injury and forfeited the fourth-round tie to the American.

Leading by a set and down 4-5 in the second, the Belgian accidentally tripped over an advertising board while tracking back for a return and appeared to turn her ankle.