August 31, 2017 – Flushing Meadows – For one set, it seemed as if qualifier Nicole Gibbs would deny Karolina Plishkova a trip to the third round of the U.S. Open, but the 2016 runner-up dug deep and pulled out a very shaky 3-set victory.
It took the Czech three sets to pull a win out over her American qualifying opponent Nicole Gibbs, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
A lithe 6-foot-1, Pliskova towered over her 5-foot-6 American opponent, in both height and tennis prowess.
But that didn’t deter the small-but-mighty Gibbs, who is currently ranked No. 127 in the world. The hometown hero immediately felt at home in Arthur Ashe, taking a large lead up a double break 4-1 in the first set. The Ohio native saved three game points and took the set on serve, much to the thrill of the pro-American crowd.
Cover photo credit: USTA/Garrett Ellwood
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