Karolina Pliskova, who won in singles and doubles on Sunday to help the Czech Republic clinch a 3-2 win over Russia in the Fed Cup final, believes the victory could be a precursor to improved play next year. The 23-year-old world No. 11 won one tournament this season and reached four other finals.
“I can go a little bit higher but it depends on the results and the start of the year,” said Pliskova. “If I’m playing good I can win those bigger matches and go far in the tournament but sometimes it’s not happening. I will prepare good this year and hopefully be ready for the next year.”
Czech Republic captain Petr Pala added that despite some lackluster performances in the second half of the season, Pliskova grew in confidence two weeks ago when she reached the WTA Elite Trophy final in Zhuhai. She lost to Venus Williams, but by the time she arrived in Prague, the Czech was feeling much better about her game.
Pliskova lost to Maria Sharapova on Saturday, but defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Sunday, then teamed with Barbora Strycova to beat Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina in the deciding doubles match.
“[Pliskova] was competitive against Maria but she was unhappy she lost to her and that was a good sign, because she went out to win it and she didn't,” said her captain Petr Pala. “But she was out there in front of big stars for the first time. It helped her. [On Sunday] we felt she was the best player. She became confident and once she did, she wasn’t afraid.”