Only once has the fifth-seeded Pliskova lost a set—against Jelena Ostapenko in the third round—en route to the quarterfinal stage of the Australian Open.
The Czech star has eased her way through her previous matches, including a dominant win (6-3, 6-3) in the fourth round versus Australian Daria Gavrilova.
Pliskova looked nearly flawless there, connecting on 81 percent of her first serve points and more than half of her return points (36-of-70). She also smashed in 12 aces and capitalized on 5-of-14 break-point opportunities, giving her tournament-highs of 45 aces and 26 break points won.
Expect that immense power, along with an impressive efficiency in both the service and return game, to show up again versus Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, whom Pliskova’s beaten thrice in five career meetings.
Lucic-Baroni is turning back the clock, not just heads, in Melbourne. Her biggest win by far was in the second round, where she left us stunned with an upset over World No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska.
The Croatian veteran’s overflowing with confidence right now, and she’ll need every bit of that to make it past another gigantic obstacle in the form of World No. 5 Karolina Pliskova. The overall head-to-head series doesn’t favor Lucic-Baroni, but her win against the Czech in last year’s Canadian Masters should keep us optimistic about another upset.
And apart from that, the 34-year-old can equal Pliskova’s power off the ground and with her serve. Lucic-Baroni has won at least 66 percent of her first serve points in the previous four rounds, while also firing in 33 or more winners in each match. But the ultimate question is: can she stay consistent?
Writer’s Prediction
Pliskova (-550) ends the Croat’s dream run, winning it in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
