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#2 (9) Karolina Pliskova vs (21) Ekaterina Makarova
This match was played last year in the very same round where Makarova won 6-4, 6-4. The same stage, the same players..will the outcome be exactly the same?
A lot has changed since that meeting. The 23-year-old Czech has slowly climbed up the higher echelons as 2015 turned out to be her career-best season with one title and five runner-up finishes. She is a lot more confident now and is self-admittedly not intimidated by the big stage. As for Makarova, this is one of her most successful Slams where she reached the semis last year and also famously upset Serena Williams in 2012.
The Russian had an injury-marred end of season but has so far been impressive at the Australian Open. Pliskova can turn this around if she can get her serves going but if she allows Makarova’s lefty forehands to take control, it might end up the same way just like last year.
UPDATE: Pliskova has since bowed out
