Will 2017 be Pliskova’s Grand Slam glory?

Always a dangerous name in the draw Karolina Pliskova possesses the tennis armory to strike fear into any opponents.

A steady rise up the rankings exploded in a sensational 2016 campaign. Having picked up WTA titles in Nottingham and Cincinnati, who could forget her run to the US Open final?

The towering Czech defeated Venus Wiliams before then replicating her scintillating brand of power tennis with a triumph over Serena Williams in New York.

She succumbed to world No.1 Angelique Kerber in the Flushing Meadows final but surely it is now time Pliskova is spoken of amongst the favourites to land Grand Slams?

The 24-year-old Pliskova has picked up where she left off in 2016 and will now equal her career-high rank of world No.5 ahead of the Australian Open thanks to a dominant display in Brisbane this week.

Everybody is aware of her clattering serve, but it is accurate and extremely consistent. Once Pliskova sets up the point she is a heavy hitter off both wings, enjoys a foray into the net and displays a soft touch.

With a renowned coach and a threatening game Pliskova still balks at speculation she is destined to win a maiden Grand Slam in 2017 after a dominant Brisbane International triumph.

Third seeded Czech Pliskova thrashed unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-0 6-3, reeling off 30 winners in the women’s final at Pat Rafter Arena in just over an hour on Saturday night.

It was a dream start under new mentor David Kotyza, the man who propelled Pliskova’s compatriot Petra Kvitova to two Wimbledon crowns.

“I mean, everyone is saying that but it’s not that easy,” she said of the Grand Slam talk. “Definitely I’m going to try but you still have to be ready for everything.

“There will be harder opponents than I had this week, then there’s the draw – it is important to have a little bit of luck. But anything is possible. So let’s see.”

The 24-year-old has withdrawn from the Apia International Sydney with a thigh concern, but this is believed to be only precautionary.

Pliskova looked an intimidating prospect with Kotyza in her corner and believes she will only continue to improve under her new coach.

“I said to him after this (perfect) start, now it can only get worse,” Pliskova joked about Kotyza.

“I think he definitely helps me with a few things. I think I can still play better than I was playing this tournament.”

Should Pliskova play any better, we could be witnessing a Czech sprint to the final at Melbourne Park. Gone of the days of being a dark horse, Pliskova is now a true contender.