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via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 11, 2021 Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova during her second round match against Danielle Collins of the U.S. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 11, 2021 Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova during her second round match against Danielle Collins of the U.S. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
The run of tough luck continues for Czech professional Karolina Pliskova on the women’s tour. In a week, she has lost dismally for the second time against American talent Jessica Pegula.
After failing to the American 6-3, 6-1 at Qatar Open 2021, the former World No. 1 met Pegula in Dubai. Yet again, Pliskova had no answers for her opponent’s clean and precise ball striking.
Moreover, the 2016 US Open finalist even saw a bagel in the opening set. Karolina Pliskova lost to Jessica Pegula 0-6, 2-6.
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Read More: “Couldn’t Really Move”: Petra Kvitova Announces Sad News Following Qatar Open 2021 Triumph
Jessica Pegula thrashed the No.2 seed Pliskova in 53 minutes in Dubai
The big difference between Pliskova and Pegula was their return game. While the American recorded a 65.5 (19/29) return percentage, the Czech professional registered a mere 26.1 (6/23) return percentage.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-02-15T021440Z_751291675_UP1EH2F068GNV_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
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Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 15, 2021, Jessica Pegula of the U.S. celebrates winning her fourth-round match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Kelly Defina
The big difference between Pliskova and Pegula was their return game. While the American recorded a 65.5 (19/29) return percentage, the Czech professional registered a mere 26.1 (6/23) return percentage.
Other than that, the 28-year-old looked disappointed with her performance throughout the match. Additionally, Pliskova even lacked the courage to fight back.
Undoubtedly, all the credit goes to the American, who is currently amid her dream season. Now, failing the second seed, Pegula has entered her first WTA 1000 quarterfinals.
Jessie just keeps rolling 🛼🛼@JLPegula takes down No.2 seed Pliskova for the second time in the space of a week, 6-0, 6-2, to move into her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/QnTq5YWreL
— wta (@WTA) March 10, 2021
The American is riding at the peak of her form since the start of the 2021 season. Therefore, her second WTA title is not very far from her now.
Jessica will face the winner between Caroline Garcia and tenth seed Elise Mertens to book a semifinal spot. On the other hand, Pliskova has to yet again return home early in the tournament.
However, the Czech professional is not the only one among the upset at WTA Dubai 2021. Even the top seed, Elina Svitolina, failed against Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 4-6, 1-6.
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No.1 seed Elina Svitolina saw an early exit in WTA Dubai 2021
The current World No. 5, Svitolina, entered both the desert tournaments as the top seed. But, the talented Ukrainian was out from the competition before the big matches.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-02-15T005823Z_461606338_UP1EH2F02PBN5_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 15, 2021, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in action during her fourth-round match against Jessica Pegula of the U.S. REUTERS/Kelly Defina
Similar to Pliskova, the 26-year-old is unable to convert victories this year. That is why even though she won the opening set dominantly, she failed to maintain her lead in the match.
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The four-time Grand Slam finalist, Svetlana Kuznetsova, brought her experience into the competition. Despite trailing her opponent, the Russian professional seemed more in control of the happenings.
Eventually, even she lost in the next match of the tournament to Barbora Krejcikova. Let us wait and see what more drama will take place in Dubai.
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Big match coming up: Iga Swiatek vs Garbine Muguruza
WATCH: Coco Gauff and Marketa Vondrousova Land Up Having Nasty Exchanges at WTA Dubai 2021
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