Pliskova, Kerber advance to Stanford final
Karolina Pliskova has a history with Angelique Kerber. They met each other in a final less than two months ago and will do so again at Stanford.
The fourth-seeded Pliskova advanced to her WTA Tour-best fifth final of the year, beating American Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 7-5 on Saturday in the Bank of the West Classic.
She’s looking for her first career Premier-level tour win — and Kerber, who has three titles this year, is standing in her way again.
“She’s tough to play because she is everywhere and is hitting fast,” the 11th-ranked Pliskova said. “She’s a lefty, which also makes it tough. I’ve beaten her a few times and she’s beaten me a few times.”
The fifth-seeded Kerber, of Germany, advanced to the final with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over eighth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in a match that lasted 55 minutes.
The two met in the
final at Birmingham, England, with Kerber winning 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6 (4). Kerber also won at Stuttgart and Charleston. Pliskova beat Kerber in the semifinal in Sydney.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Kerber said. “I know it will be a tough final against Karolina. She has a big serve and I must try to return very well.”
The fourth-seeded Pliskova, from the Czech Republic, recorded her 39th victory of the season, one shy of leader Serena Williams. Pliskova will make her top-10 debut when the rankings are released Monday.
“This is the best match I’ve played here so far,” Pliskova said. “I can still play better. I can change a few things. But I have found some level where I can play. I’ve improved a lot mentally, and I’m going for every shot.”
In her previous four finals appearances this year, Pliskova won in Prague and lost in Sydney, Dubai and Birmingham.
Pliskova averaged 105 mph on her first serve and had five aces en route to winning 81 percent of her first-serve points.
“My serve is solid now,” she said. “She was struggling with the return. I’m happy I closed it out in two sets. This couldn’t be a better start to the hardcourt season, and I hope I can build off this.”
Lepchenko, who knocked off top-seeded Carolina Wozniacki in the second round, committed 50 errors — 24 of them unforced.
Kerber had a quick turnaround from playing a late night quarterfinal Friday and had more than enough to get past the 20th-ranked Svitolina.
“I’ve been playing well this week,” Kerber said. “My whole game has been more aggressive. It’s good to see I can translate that from the practice court to the playing court. I’m happy with my performance.” Citi Open: Kei Nishikori beating Marin Cilic in Washington doesn’t offset losing the same matchup in the 2014 U.S. Open final. Regardless, payback was sweet for the Japanese star.
Nishikori rallied to beat Cilic 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals in their first showdown since Cilic beat Nishikori in the U.S. Open final exactly 11 months ago.
“It’s good to win against a top-10 player and especially Marin,” the second-seeded Nishikori said. “We had a battle last year at the U.S. Open. It’s great to have revenge today, and I hope I can keep it going tomorrow.”
In an all-American match, 6-foot-10 John Isner smacked 31 aces and fended off three match points for a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9) win over Steve Johnson in the second semifinal.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova advanced to the women’s final after top seed Ekaterina Makarova withdrew before the third set with the score 4-6, 6-3. Pavlyuchenkova will meet American Sloane Stephens, who reached her first career final with a 7-6 (4), 6-0 win over 2011 U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur.
“This is the best match I’ve played here so far. ... I’ve improved a lot mentally, and I’m going for every shot.”
Karolina Pliskova