Pliskova smashes umpire’s chair

rome — Former world number one Karolina Pliskova smashed the umpire’s chair in frustration after she lost to Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the second round of the WTA Italian Open on Wednesday.

In the third set with the sixth seeded Czech serving 6-3, 3-6, 5-5 (30/30) she had an overhead shot incorrectly ruled out and both the line judge and the umpire said they could not find the mark.

After vehemently arguing with the umpire to no avail Pliskova was furious when 42nd-ranked Sakkari was given the advantage and break point at a crucial stage of the match. The Czech went on to lose that game and the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours 21 minutes. She furiously repeatedly struck the umpire’s chair with her racket.

For Sakkari it was the first top five win of her career and she will face the winner of the second-round match between 11th seed Angelique Kerber of Germany and Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

Earlier, top seed Simona Halep needed just under an hour to advance 6-1, 6-0 past Naomi Osaka to avenge her defeat to the Japanese player in Indian Wells. It was one of those helpless feelings,” conceded 20-year-old Osaka who could be heard saying “I want to cry” courtside.

Halep needed to save four break points in her opening service game for 1-1 but then reeled off 12 in a row.

“I like to slide on the clay and today was easy for me. I’m more relaxed than in Madrid,” said 26-yearold Halep.

Halep reached the final in Rome last year and needs to reach the quarterfinals this time to retain her world number one ranking.