Pliskova that high as well? Really?

We’re talking about a former world number 1 after all.

I’ve seen this kind of scenario dozens of times at the Australian Open. A rising player, riding the momentum of a strong first-round performance, up against a former queen of the tour that many are burying a bit too soon. And yet, the court often has its own language.

Plíšková is obviously no longer the dominant player she once was, but in Melbourne, on a fast hard court, her flat game is still perfectly suited to the conditions. Against Stephens, she showed something interesting: a real desire to move forward, to come to the net, with 89% success on her approaches, and a serve that’s still a work in progress but already solid enough to control the key phases. That kind of fine-tuning tends to improve as the rounds go by, especially for a player with her experience.

On the other side of the net, Janice Tjen comes in with confidence. Her win over Fernandez made an impression, but it also needs to be put into context. We’re talking about a lifeless Fernandez since the start of the 2026 season, far from her usual standards, who folded without really putting up resistance. Tjen did the job cleanly, with intensity and looseness, but she still hasn’t been pushed to her limits.

The match-up is quite clear. If Tjen manages to impose her baseline rhythm and make Plíšková move, she’ll have the upper hand. Conversely, if the Czech imposes her serve, takes the ball early and prevents the rhythm from settling, the match can very quickly become much more uncomfortable for the young player. How they handle key moments and the pressure of the second round will be decisive.

So we’re looking at a match that’s much more nuanced than it seems. On one side, freshness and carefree ambition. On the other, experience, flat hitting, and a perfect understanding of this kind of situation. In Melbourne, this type of clash often produces matches that are much tighter than people expect.