Pliskova marches past Mertens into Rome semifinals

ROME, Italy - No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova took another step toward her Rome title defense after correcting a mid-match wobble to defeat No.11 seed Elise Mertens in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia quarterfinals.

The Brisbane champion looked to be in complete control as she soared through the opening set, but faced resistance as Mertens made her way back to send them into a decider. But that’s when Pliskova clicked into high gear, reeling off the next six games to reach her second semifinal of the year, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Read more: Halep moves into Rome semis as Putintseva retires

“I think I played a great match. Even the second set I think there was some good moments,” Pliskova said in her post-match press conference, speaking from Rome via video chat. “But just started way too strong in the third, and I think definitely was maybe one of the best matches of course of this season, but it's not so difficult because there was not many matches. 

“I felt great. Especially the first set I think was maybe one of my best sets that I have played on clay ever.”

Pliskova wasted no time opening up a 3-0 lead to start the match, although Mertens made sure to give her a battle as the Belgian held two break points in Pliskova’s first service game. Pliskova held off the challenge, raising her level on big points and relying on her booming first serves to halt Mertens’ progress.

Mertens will likely rue the missed opportunities throughout the first set, having created four break points in total but finding herself unable to affect the Pliskova serve. The Czech bossed the rallies, leaving Mertens to overhit and draw out unforced errors. 

With the first set in the bag, 6-3, Pliskova looked ready to run away with the match as she started the second with another early break, 1-0. But Mertens showed why she is the current WTA match wins leader - with 24 victories so far this year - and continued to fight her way back. 

Mertens kept Pliskova under pressure, creating break opportunities in each of the Czech’s first three service games, before finally breaking through at 3-3. She held firm in her own serve as Pliskova looked to get the quick break back, and suddenly the floodgates opened as Mertens reeled off the last five games in a row to send them into a decider, 6-3. 

But Pliskova quickly put the mid-match wobble behind her, and the former World No.1 was soon back on familiar territory as she once again started a set with a daunting lead, 3-0. This time, the Czech found another level to close out the match in flawless fashion, claiming the final set to love en route to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 victory.

“I thought I played great set and a half, but of course she's a great player too, so she played some good shots and she made it difficult for me end of the second set,” Pliskova analyzed. “But I just changed my clothes, and I came back to the game which I was playing the first set, which worked.”

The Czech has now won eight consecutive matches at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, dating back to her 2019 run to the title.

While she was not at her full “Ace Queen” numbers, Pliskova’s dominance on serve was on full display in Rome, saving six of eight break points and winning 72% of points behind her booming first delivery to control the rallies. She outhit Mertens with 34 winners to 22, outpacing her own 24 unforced errors to Mertens’ 30.

In the semifinals, Pliskova will take on a fellow Czech and last year’s French Open finalist, Marketa Vondrousova. The 21-year-old stunned two-time Rome champion Elina Svitolina in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, earlier in the day to advance to her first semifinal since Roland Garros. 

Pliskova and Vondrousova are Billie Jean King Cup teammates representing the Czech Republic, and the pair teamed up again during the lockdown in a series of domestic exhibition matches.

Read more: Vondrousova soars to Svitolina upset in Rome

“We had a lot of fun,” she recalled. “You know, just seeing these players and just to be somehow with them and just to practice in those long, six or five months which we were home I think is just great.

“I played with Marketa couple times, not in this lockdown but couple times on tour, maybe two or maybe one, I'm not sure. I think Miami was the last time we met.

“She's a strong opponent, especially on clay. She can play quite ugly game on clay. It's semifinals, still kind of preparation for Paris. If I play like today I think I should not be worried.”