Pliskova sees off stubborn Muguruza

Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday evening moved through to the semifinals at Indian Wells for the second straight year with a hard-fought win over Garbine Muguruza.

In a battle between third and seventh seeds, it was the higher-seeded Pliskova who prevailed 7-6(2) 7-6(5) to reach the last four.

There she’ll meet Svetlana Kuznetsova, who subdued fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-2 earlier on Wednesday.

Having fallen to Pavlyuchenkova in both Sydney and at the Australian Open this year, Kuznetsova was pleased to swing the match-up in her favour.

“She’s been playing great this year. I knew in, like, Sydney, it was not my best day and Australia I played a little worse. I basically didn’t play. Not taking away from her, she did very well. But comparing to my normal level,” Kuznetsova said.

“I know this court suits me a little better, and I know I’d be more fresh and it worked, the tactics and everything.”

Kuznetsova, the No.8 seed, is back in the semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open for the first time since reaching consecutive finals in 2007-08.

Pliskova remarked on Kuznetsova’s enduring success and longevity after seeing off Muguruza in a touch under two hours.

“Definitely I can see she’s really enjoying the tennis, even if she’s not playing always well, but she’s really tough now to beat for every girl,” Pliskova said.

“I don’t remember her 15 years ago (when she emerged). I was not on the tour, so I cannot say how she was before.

“But right now she looks really happy. You can even see it with the results. She’s a nice girl. I always enjoy even to watching her, because she’s always playing so easily and don’t making any drama on the court, which I like just to watch these players.”

Pliskova served for the opening set leading 5-3 and for the match when leading 5-2 in the second set, before the reigning Roland Garros champion made a match of it.

The contest was highlighted by big-hitting exchanges, relatively clean hitting and some impressive winners, until Pliskova sealed victory on a Muguruza double fault.

The victory means the Czech has beaten Muguruza in six of their seven encounters.

“I just feel always quite good against her. Doesn’t matter in which shape I am. I didn’t have that good matches in the tournament, but with her, always, like I said, the level is a little bit higher,” Pliskova said.

“It’s maybe with the game she also plays aggressive but not aggressive that much, so I still have some time going to the balls.

“And I’m pushing her through the forehand and then always opening the court and to play the down the line my forehand, which is always the key where I can win.

“Some parts in the match where she’s, like, giving some free points, so I’m always waiting for that. Even in the second set, I got few games there. But in the end, in the tiebreak, also, she missed few easy forehands, I think, too.

“So I’m always waiting for those chances.”

Pliskova and Kuznetsova will meet for the third time when they face off in the semifinals; their record is split at 1-1.