By: Madellene Markit
Czech superstar, Karolina Pliskova has been eliminated from the Australian Open after she smashed racquets and argued with the umpire in the second set. She has been knocked out by countrywoman Karolina Muchova.
Karolina Pliskova suffered a straight 7-5, 7-5 defeat at Rod Laver Arena, leading to a meltdown on the second set.
Pliskova is renowned for her temperament and composure, but she showed signs of frustration during the third round encounter in Melbourne Park.
In the first set, Pliskova smashed her racquet after a double fault which gifted Muchova a critical break of serve, and was promptly awarded a code of violation from British umpire Alison Hughes.
The 28 year old was handed a second code violation after breaking another racquet in the tunnel during a brrak in play, thinking she was out of sight.
“It’s off court, I’m allowed to do what I want.” Pliskova argued. Chair umpire Alison Hughes told Pliskova that she was not allowed to destroy any equipment during a match.
Muchova found herself 0-5 down in the second set, but eventually won the following seven games, to claim an unlikely victory.
Pliskova hit 40 unforced errors to 23 winners and has not reached the quater-finals of a Grand Slam since the 2019 Australian Open.
“I don’t feel safe with anything that I was really doing on the court,” She said. “Of course I played quite amazing to 5-0 but then it’s quite tough to hold this level for a longer time. I thought she just played little better at this moment,” Pliskova said after the loss.
Pliskova and Muchova were hitting partners during the two week quarantine period.
“I’m a little sad, we are very good friends,” Muchova said after the win. “I’m happy I made it through in two sets.”
“I think we were both a little nervous. I must say, when we played in practice in quarantine, it was a different level.”
On Monday, Muchova will play 18th seed Elise Mertens of Belgium, for a place in the quarter finals.
There are no fans at the Australian Open as Melbourne enters a five day lockdown.
