Top 5 wins of Karolina Pliskova's career

#4 vs. Angelique Kerber at the semi-finals of the 2015 Sydney Open

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic celebrates after winning a point in her semi final match against Angelque Kerber of German during day five of the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 15, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images) — Pliskova entered the Top 20 of the WTA rankings by reaching the final of the 2015 Apia Sydney International

Pliskova had a fine year in 2014 when she rose from 67 to 24 in the WTA rankings by the end of the season. The Czech began 2015 by exiting the Brisbane International in the second round and would next feature at the Sydney International.

Pliskova began her tournament by defeating qualifier Polona Hercog in the first round which was followed by a double bagel against Nicole Gibbs in the second round to reach the quarter-finals. At the quarter-finals, Pliskova came from a set down to defeat Carla Suarez Navarro to set up a semi-final clash against 5^th seed Angelique Kerber.

The match turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Czech breezed past the German 6-3, 6-2 to reach her first WTA Premier final. Pliskova went on to lose the final against second seed Petra Kvitova in two tight sets, both of which were decided by tie-breaks. Due to her performances at the competition, Pliskova broke into the Top 20 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career.

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