Sports

Pliskova wins Qatar Open

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic holds the Qatar Open trophy after defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final on February 18. Photo: Reuters

US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova said it was her "dream" to win a Grand Slam after she enhanced her growing reputation by winning the Qatar Open on Saturday.

The world number three was beaten by Angelique Kerber in last year's US Open final and has confirmed her potential in 2017 with two WTA title already.

The powerful 23-year-old said she was targeting this year's Wimbledon and US Open to be her breakthrough moment.

Asked after her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Caroline Wozniacki in Doha if her goal was to become world number one, Pliskova said her main target lay elsewhere.

"I have other goals than being number one right now," she said.

"It's to win a Grand Slam. I was in the final, so now the next step would be to win it."

Asked which of the big four tournaments would be the most likely, Pliskova added: "Well, obviously with my game, I think it would be hard court or Wimbledon.

"So definitely French Open would be the last."

And she said she would "love" to be a Grand Slam winner this year.

"I have a coach now which won Wimbledon twice, so maybe he can help me little bit in this way," she said referring to David Kotyza who coached Petra Kvitova to two Wimbledon singles titles in 2011 and 2014.

"Then obviously (the) US Open, it's going to be difficult, I'm defending a lot of points there.

"I would love to do it this year. If not, I still think I have a good chance the next few years."

Despite her hope of winning Wimbledon, Pliskova has constantly underperformed at the All-England Club.

In the last four years she has crashed out in the second round each time, despite winning her first WTA title in 2013 and being in the world's top 10 since 2015.

It was after her defeat to Japan's Misaki Doi at Wimbledon last year that Pliskova decided to change things, bringing in Kotyza and a new fitness coach.

Comments

Pliskova wins Qatar Open

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic holds the Qatar Open trophy after defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final on February 18. Photo: Reuters

US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova said it was her "dream" to win a Grand Slam after she enhanced her growing reputation by winning the Qatar Open on Saturday.

The world number three was beaten by Angelique Kerber in last year's US Open final and has confirmed her potential in 2017 with two WTA title already.

The powerful 23-year-old said she was targeting this year's Wimbledon and US Open to be her breakthrough moment.

Asked after her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Caroline Wozniacki in Doha if her goal was to become world number one, Pliskova said her main target lay elsewhere.

"I have other goals than being number one right now," she said.

"It's to win a Grand Slam. I was in the final, so now the next step would be to win it."

Asked which of the big four tournaments would be the most likely, Pliskova added: "Well, obviously with my game, I think it would be hard court or Wimbledon.

"So definitely French Open would be the last."

And she said she would "love" to be a Grand Slam winner this year.

"I have a coach now which won Wimbledon twice, so maybe he can help me little bit in this way," she said referring to David Kotyza who coached Petra Kvitova to two Wimbledon singles titles in 2011 and 2014.

"Then obviously (the) US Open, it's going to be difficult, I'm defending a lot of points there.

"I would love to do it this year. If not, I still think I have a good chance the next few years."

Despite her hope of winning Wimbledon, Pliskova has constantly underperformed at the All-England Club.

In the last four years she has crashed out in the second round each time, despite winning her first WTA title in 2013 and being in the world's top 10 since 2015.

It was after her defeat to Japan's Misaki Doi at Wimbledon last year that Pliskova decided to change things, bringing in Kotyza and a new fitness coach.

Comments