Teenage upstart vanquishes Pliskova

Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska scored the first top-10 win of her career at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday, ousting world No 2 Karolina Pliskova.

In a year that has seen 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu of Canada win the US Open, and American 15-year-old Cori Gauff reach the second week at Wimbledon, Yastremska picked up two WTA titles and made the fourth round at Wimbledon.

“They’re young but they’re also very good. There’s a lot of things I could learn from them as well,” Yastremska said of her fellow teens following the 6-1, 6-4 third-round triumph over Pliskova.

“I’m really happy that now the young generation is coming up. It’s really time for us.”

Pliskova was reserved in her judgment when asked about Yastremska’s potential, noting that performing at this level consistently can be challenging for many youngsters on the circuit.

“I think she’s still young, I think anything is possible. There were players who had one great year and they just disappeared, so I’m not sure about her,” said the Czech, who has a tour-leading 50 match wins this year.

“Of course she can be dangerous because she can play well, but she can also have days where she’s missing a lot.”

Pliskova’s exit temporarily takes the pressure off world No 1 Ashleigh Barty, who can hold onto her top ranking for at least one more week now that her nearest rival was unable to reach the semifinals in Wuhan.

“I know I was close, but I don’t care,” said Pliskova of missing out on the No 1 spot this week.

Barty booked her ticket to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-5 success over recently crowned Guangzhou champion Sofia Kenin, and next will face Croatia’s Petra Martic.

AFP

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