Winning Return for Pliskova: Former World No. 1 Makes Her Comeback in Portugal

After an absence of more than a year, Karolina Pliskova has returned to the courts and to victory in Portugal. Her goal: to gradually regain her sensations and return to her best level.

We last saw Pliskova in the second round of the US Open last year, forced to retire after just her first service game due to an ankle injury.

Since then, the former world No. 1 has worked hard to return to competition after undergoing two foot surgeries. But on this Monday, September 15th, she officially returned to the professional circuit, invited to the WTA 125 event in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.

A winning return materialized as Pliskova triumphed over France's Tessah Andrianjafitrimo in 3 sets (6-1, 4-6, 7-5) after 2 hours and 35 minutes of play.

"What matters to me right now is regaining my physical condition. It's not about tennis," said the two-time Grand Slam finalist after the match.

She aims for a place in the tournament quarterfinals against Polina Iatcenko, the world's 267th-ranked player.