Miami: Simona Halep missed the chance to return to world No.1 as a devastating display from Karolina Pliskova sealed the Czech’s passage into the Miami Open WTA final 7-5, 6-1.
Romania’s Halep would have reclaimed the top spot in women’s tennis if she had reached Saturday’s showpiece following current No.1 Naomi Osaka’s early exit and Petra Kvitova falling to Ashleigh Barty in the last eight.
But Pliskova, the world No.7, had other ideas, rattling off an incredible nine games in a row to blitz Halep and set up an intriguing battle with Australian Barty — a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
“It wasn’t easy waiting for so long but I managed to stay aggressive,” said Pliskova, who hit 29 winners to Halep’s 18 in the match that finished after 1 am thanks to a series of rain delays. “Ashleigh is a good player, but I am excited for the final.”
AFP
