Wimbledon 2019: Karolina Pliskova made to work in three-set victory over Hsieh Su-wei

The Czech, one of the few big names left in the women’s singles, was pushed all the way by the 33-year-old Taiwanese, eventually winning 6-3 2-6 6-4

Karolina Pliskova was taken the distance in her hard-fought, third-round victory over Hsieh Su-wei at the Wimbledon Championships.

The Czech, one of the few big names left in the women’s singles, was pushed all the way by the 33-year-old Taiwanese, eventually winning 6-3 2-6 6-4.

After cruising to victory in the opening set, Pliskova was stopped in her tracks by the world No 29 who rallied to claim the second set in 36 minutes.

But Pliskova, the world No 4, recovered her nerve to bounce back in the third and final set, serving to love to book her place in the fourth round of the Championships.

Up next for Pliskova is 20th seed Anett Kontaveit or her Czech compatriot Karolina Muchova.

Pliskova, the third seed, made full use of her mighty serve, firing 14 aces on Court One to counter Hsieh's fast feet and soft hands and prevail in one hour and 46 minutes.

Both players started the opening set strongly before an unusually untidy game by world No 16 Hsieh allowed Pliskova to claim a break for a 5-3 lead.

That was the opening the 27-year-old needed as she switched gears and closed out the set with her sixth ace.

Hsieh responded with an early break in the second set to race 4-2 ahead and the 33-year-old saved four break points in the seventh game before taking the match into a decider.

Pliskova, who beat last year's Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the Eastbourne final last week, put Hsieh on the back foot with searing groundstrokes early in the third set to break for a 3-1 lead.

Appearing less rattled by Hsieh's variations as the match wore on, Pliskova staved off a late comeback attempt by the Taiwanese to close out victory.

Additional reporting by agencies