PARIS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- No. 2 seed Karolina Pliskova became the latest potential title contender to be knocked out of the French Open, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Petra Martic in the third round here on Friday.
"The key [to victory] was to focus on my game and try to dictate instead of letting her dictate," 31st seed Martic told a news conference.
Having won the 2019 Italian Open, Pliskova came to Paris as one of title favorites. Her exit means that Naomi Osaka is set to maintain her world No.1 status after the tournament.
Prior to Pliskova, other challengers to Osaka's throne have fallen by the wayside, as fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber was eliminated in the first round, fourth seed Kiki Bertens was laid low with an illness, and No. 6 seed Petra Kvitova withdrew through injury.
Pliskova conceded 28 unforced errors, double that of her Croatian opponent, and also lagged behind in points won on first and second serves.
"I had to try to take it away from her, and at times it was difficult, especially when she broke me and got a few winners. I'm just happy that I managed in the end to hold my nerves and to finish it off," Martic noted.
"The court is pretty slow, so you just have to play some extra shots. She has this kind of game which you don't feel good about, and she played well," Pliskova explained.
Martic will face either Veronika Kudermetova or Kaia Kanepi next, as she attempts to reach her first career Grand Slam quarterfinals.
