CZECH Republic’s Karolina Pliskova has started the 2020 WTA Tour season off on the right note with a three sets victory over Madison Keys in the women’s final at the Brisbane International yesterday. The world number two had to battle hard across two hours and seven minutes, but eventually got the job done to claim a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory. Heading into the match, Pliskova and the world number 13 Keys had never faced off before, but the match showed they were evenly placed at times with a strong balance of serving strength and playmaking ability.

Keys served up 10 aces across the three sets, having a very nice 69.2 per cent of first serves in, but was just bested in the first and second serve points won by the eventual champion. Both players had break point opportunities with Keys converting three of five chances, one less than Pliskova who had four from five. They also both were able to win their fair share of points off the opposition players’ second serve with 48.5 and 42.1 per cent in favour of Pliskova.

It was also the Czech who took risks in the final set, winning 75 per cent of first serve points and five of 11 points from second serves – four of the six losing points were double faults. Critically, the world number two created the only break of the set from one of her three opportunities, to finish with a strong final set to secure the win. The result saw Pliskova maintain second spot with a large gap between the top ranked Ash Barty and third ranked Naomi Osaka – though Osaka has to defend her title at the Australian Open. Keys moved up two spots in the rankings to eleventh in the world. Next stop for both players – Melbourne Park.