Pliskova v Wozniacki set for Eastbourne final

Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki have set up a mouth-watering final at the Aegon International Eastbourne – yet for Pliskova, it was hardly the ideal way to progress.

Semifinal opponent Johanna Konta, who suffered a nasty fall a few points before closing out top seed Angelique Kerber in the quarters, withdrew prior to their match citing a thoracic spine injury.

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“The most important thing for me is to look after my health in general,” the Brit said.

“We made the decision based on the fact I’m still quite sore through my thoracic spine. Next week is Wimbledon but I make decisions for my health.

“I didn’t sleep too well but I heard that’s normal. The most important thing is I rest well for the next 24 hours and then we’ll see.”

With Pliskova sailing through to the final without hitting a ball, Wozniacki progressed in the complete opposite manner, battling for two hours and nine minutes before finally overcoming Konta’s compatriot Heather Watson 6-2 3-6 7-5.

“It could have gone both ways,” Wozniacki said after advancing to her fourth WTA final of 2017.

“We had played twice before and they were close matches so I knew it would be difficult today. I got a little lucky.

“She is a good player, has a great volley, mixes it up and serves well on grass, so a lot of credit to her.”

Pliskova, widely tipped as the favourite for Wimbledon, and Wozniacki, enjoying a resurgence after plunging outside the top 70 less than a year ago, will face off on Saturday.

Wozniacki leads the head-to-head 4-1, but lost their only meeting in a final – in Doha in February.

Wozniacki is 0-3 in finals this year while Pliskova is a perfect 2-0.