'Tough to watch': Why the tennis world is in a frenzy over this photo
Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova have played out the first match between identical twins in the history of the WTA tour.
And the historic showdown ended in an upset as Kristyna, ranked No. 112, won 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7) against her No. 3-ranked sister at the grass-court Birmingham Classic on Wednesday.
It was the Czech twins’ first match against each other in the main draw of a WTA event, and the 10th meeting of sisters on the tour.
Kristyna won their first-ever meeting, at the Malta ITF junior tournament as 14 year olds, and has edged ahead 6-5 in their head-to-head record in competitive matches.
The match was decided by a third-set tiebreaker in which both of the 27-year-old sisters made untimely double faults.
Karolina fell behind 6-5 with a double fault, but Kristyna replied with one of her own to make it.
At 7-7, Karolina once again double faulted to give Kristyna another match point and this time the left-handed player didn't waste it to wrap up the match in just under two hours.
Remarkably, it was Kristyna’s first career victory against a top 5 opponent.
Tennis fans were in a frenzy over the tennis twins.
I was. Watched the majority of Barbara’s match . The Pliskovas match was a tough one to watch . Pleased for Kristyna though
— karen fletcher (@kazzafletch) June 19, 2019
When you're sick of people always telling you, you're the second best K. Pliskova on tour #WTABirmingham pic.twitter.com/LCAZ9udNBJ
— Robert Addison (@robaddison) June 19, 2019
K. Pliskova won and lost in the same match. That's a first in tennis history.
— halcali。 (@Hive_5) June 20, 2019
It’s pretty wild to watch women’s tennis and see kristyna Pliskova play her identical twin Karolina..identical! Wonder who the parents pull for..
— Hook Moore (@Hook_Moore) June 20, 2019
I really tried to watch the Pliskova match but kept getting confused as to which was which. Congrats Kristyna! @fanofwta @pamalaknight
— Yas Tennis Saves my Sanity (@YasminePhoenix) June 20, 2019
As predicted K. Pliskova is winning.
— Duck 🦆 (@DuckDaBlackSwan) June 19, 2019
This is not fair on the Umpire, and commentator. Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova identical twins play each other at the #WTA #Birmingham classics.
They even have the same tattoos this is confusing my eyes. pic.twitter.com/D3c1hgm2b3— Chidiebere (@chidiebereTVC) June 19, 2019
The Pliskova twins are about to face off! I love this. https://t.co/AI2G58v7V2
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) June 19, 2019
So cute watching the superior Pliskova lower her level against her sister so that the inferior Pliskova can win an WTA level match now and then. #WTA
— Bob Kuzzy (@BobKuzzy) June 19, 2019
Not exactly easy to know which Pliskova has won the recent matches against one another 😂🙃 pic.twitter.com/0iBArKQNbs
— Ryan 🐨 (@Ryanroxs01) June 19, 2019
I'm so confused I can't even remember which Pliskova is the good one anymore.
— Lee 🇪🇺🏳️🌈 (@yelnats_eel) June 19, 2019
Barty back in action
Meanwhile, Ash Barty won her first match since capturing her first grand slam at the French Open, beating Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4.
Barty said she does not feel any extra pressure with her new status.
“For me, nothing changes,” the Australian said. “It was an incredible fortnight of tennis that we had without a doubt and some of the best memories of my career will come from those two weeks.
“But I'm still the same person. I'm still the same Ash Barty and I try and prepare the same way.
“I feel like, if anything, it's taken the pressure off. I can just go out and enjoy it.'“
Barty could face Venus Williams in the quarter-finals, after the American marked her debut at the tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
It is only the second time in 20 years that Williams has played a Wimbledon warm-up event.
Jelena Ostapenko won back-to-back matches for only the second time this season, knocking out home favourite Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4.