World No 1 Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic advanced to the US Open quarter-finals on Monday by routing 91st-ranked American Jennifer Brady 6-1, 6-0 in just 46 minutes.
Pliskova, last year’s US Open runner-up, will next face USA’s CoCo Vandeweghe to decide a berth in the semi-finals. “It’s very good for Czech tennis that there are so many of us,” she said of the chance to play Safarova.
In her prior match, Pliskova faced a match point against China’s Zhang Shuai, a tense moment that helped her ensure there was no drama against Brady. “I played well,” she said. “I really wanted to get the chance that I got after that match point. Definitely that match helped me to go through tough moments and this match I was much better.”
The victory kept Pliskova in contention to retain her top ranking after the Open. She must reach the final to stay number one.
Vandeweghe beats Lucie Safarova
When Vandeweghe says she’s trying to become the best athlete in her family as well as a US Open champion, it’s more impressive company than one might imagine.
There’s her Olympic swimmer mother Tauna, the NBA trio of her uncle Kiki, grandpa Ernie and great-uncle Mel plus ex-beach volleyball pro uncle Bruk and aunt Heather, the US polo team captain.
“My grandfather always said he was the best athlete in the family. So we’re all trying to live up to him,” Vandeweghe said.
The 25-year-old American served notice Monday she might outshine all, reaching her first US Open quarter-final by defeating 37th-ranked Czech Lucie Safarova 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).
CoCo has already helped the United States land three women in the US Open last eight for the first time since 2004 along with ninth seed Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens.
“Maybe the NBA offices can let him off for a few days,” CoCo said. After all, being a Grand Slam title winner would impress in a family where standing out is tough. Vandeweghe, playing in her hometown, is the daughter of 1976 US Olympic semi-final backstroker Tauna Vandeweghe.