"No matter how terrible my level, I still somehow believed" - Pliskova relied on experience in thrilling three-set victory over qualifier Sherif at Roland Garros

Second seed Karolina Pliskova was made to work hard on Tuesday during her opening match at Roland Garros, as the 2017 semifinalist staved off a valiant attempt by Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif.

Pliskova, who was forced to retire in the Rome final about a week ago, was unable to withstand the relentless onslaught from Sherif in the first set. However, the Czech utilized her edge in experience to overcome her Egyptian foe, and escape with a 6-7(9) 6-2 6-4 victory.

“I was just able to find a little bit better level than in the first set,” Pliskova said after the match. “Like never giving up, that's the only thing which I can do no matter how it goes, because there is always a chance.”

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The World No.4 admitted to being shaken by Sherif's strong start, and was forced to rely on her year's of experience in tense situations to pull out the victory.

“I just thought maybe the experience which I have, I have much more than she does,” she said. “But of course I still have to play something, because she was fighting and she was not giving me much. No matter how terrible was my level, I still somehow believed.”

Nonetheless, Pliskova is still keeping an eye on the thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from the Rome final against Simona Halep. She went on to reveal that the injury is not completely healed, but chose not to dwell on the issue.

“It was okay,” she said, regarding the injury. “I was not really thinking about it at all. It's not 100 per cent, but it's okay. I think nobody is really 100 per cent here.”

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