Florida: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic advanced to the Miami Open final for the first time after overcoming Simona Halep of Romania on Friday. The number five seed Pliskova defeated the number two seed in rain-plagued straight sets 7-5, 6-1.
“I think I played great the second set. I think (Halep) could have done a little bit better. Maybe, she was, of course, frustrated about the first set where it didn’t really go her way. I played some good shots, and it turned after the break. But, yeah, that’s how it is, and I’m happy with my level,” WTA quoted Pliskova. as saying after the match.
The Czech will clash with number 12 seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia to claim her second title of the season following the Brisbane International in January. Halep blasted a backhand down the line to take a 3-2 lead, but Pliskova immediately struck to hold at 3-3. In the middle of the 15-30 point in the next game, rain halted the game.
With the weather changing in the middle of the rally, the Czech faced another break point. After the rain delay, Pliskova opened with a double fault, giving the Romanian the break lead again for 5-3. As Halep served for the set, she faltered and ended the game with three straight errors and Pliskova held to lead 6-5.
