Pliskova can win Aussie Open: Gavrilova

Daria Gavrilova has declared Karolina Pliskova as the player to beat for the Australian Open women’s title after being blown off the court by the fifth-seeded Czech.

Her fairytale run ended in the fourth round, as did Australia’s representation in the singles’ draw, with the gallant Gavrilova unable to to handle the firepower of Pliskova in a 6-3 6-3 defeat on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.

Pliskova, the 2016 US Open finalist, next faces resurgent Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in a quarter-final match-up.

Gavrilova, the 22nd seed, said she couldn’t find her rhythm against Pliskova, who sent down 12 aces and backed it up with 27 winners compared to the Australian’s 14.

Gavrilova lamented the lack of penetration of her own first serve, which only found the mark 49 per cent of the time.

“I felt like I didn’t serve as good as I would have liked, it really let me down,” the 22-year-old Melburnian said.

“We didn’t have long rallies. I didn’t feel like I had the rhythm.”

The result means she will bank $220,00 in prizemoney.

While she didn’t improve on her best ever grand slam showing Gavrilova said she felt she was a better player 12 months on.

“I think I’m a better player overall,” she said having won through three tough three-set matches

“I backed up my result last year and not many players can do that.”

Gavrilova said she felt Pliskova had the game to go all the way, with a possible semi-final match-up with Serena Williams, who she beat in the final four at the US Open.

“She’s been really consistent lately and I think she can definitely win it,” Gavrilova said.

“She struggled before at grand slams but I think she’s changed her mentality and she’s feeling confident.”

The previous best performance of Pliskova at Melbourne Park is last year’s third round but she now stands as one of the title favourites.

The 24-year-old started the year by winning the Brisbane International title under new coach David Kotyza, who previously coached Petra Kvitova.

Pliskova said she felt like more of a complete player than during her US Open run.

“I think I improved a little bit of everything since I made the final of the US Open,” Pliskova said.

“Everything is just going a little bit my way now. I’m very happy to be here in the next quarter-final.”

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