Pliskova wins twice in a day to reach semifinals

Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova won two hard-fought matches to reach the Zhengzhou Open semifinals on Friday.

Pliskova had to wait 1 ½ days to complete her second round match as she beat Polona Hercog 6-3, 7-5 but not before saving five set points in the second set. Pliskova was trailing 5-2 in the second set when play was suspended on Wednesday.

Rain prevented play on Thursday and the organizers had to reschedule matches for Friday. Pliskova returned to court later Friday to beat sixth-seeded American Sofia Kenin 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

"To play two matches in a day, it's never easy, but in the first one, I was lucky enough to not go to a third set, just finished quickly and saved some power for the next one," Pliskova said.

"I was serving well today, a lot of aces, which always helps, and there's a lot of positive things for tomorrow."

Pliskova faces Ajla Tomljanovic in Saturday's semifinals after the unseeded Australian defeated local favorite Saisai Zheng 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-4. Seventh-seeded Petra Martic of Croatia upset fourth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, 57, 6-4. Martic will meet Kristina Mladenovic in the semifinals after the Frenchwoman defeated second-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-4, 46, 6-3 in a quarterfinal that finished well beyond midnight local time.

Islamabad kept as host for Pakistan-India Davis Cup match

The International Tennis Federation has kept Islamabad as the venue for the rescheduled Davis Cup series between Pakistan and India. Pakistan was due to host India on Saturday and Sunday on grass courts but the ITF last month postponed the Asia/Oceania Group I match.

That decision came after political tension over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

The ITF has given the Pakistan Tennis Federation until Sept. 19 to confirm the precise dates of the two-day match for the week commencing Nov. 25.

In a statement issued Friday, the ITF also said it "will continue to monitor the security situation in Pakistan with the host nation and our independent security advisers."

Organizers postpone Hong Kong WTA event due to protests

The Hong Kong Open tennis tournament was postponed indefinitely Friday because of widespread protests in the region. The tournament had been scheduled to be held from Oct. 5-13 on outdoor hard courts at Victoria Park. Tournament organizers said the event would be put back "in light of the present situation" but did not give a new date. A summer of protest has rocked the region, led by campaigns against a proposed extradition law which would allow Hong Kong suspects to be sent to China for trial.

"In light of the present situation, Hong Kong Tennis Association and the WTA are announcing a postponement of the 2019 Hong Kong Tennis Open," organizers said in a statement.

"We strive to maintain a high standard of the event for all participants, players and the fans in particular. "However, after extensive discussions with our key stakeholders, we conclude that a smooth running of the tournament can be better assured at a later time."

The packed tennis calendar could make that impossible.