Pliskova confirms favouritism with Eastbourne title

Karolina Pliskova swatted aside Caroline Wozniacki in Saturday’s Eastbourne final to send an ominous message to her rivals on the eve of Wimbledon.

Pliskova’s 6-4 6-4 win over Wozniacki took her winning record in 2017 finals to a perfect 3-0 and puts her within striking distance of the No.1 ranking.

It is the second time she’s beaten the Dane in a final this year, after triumphing in Doha.

The Czech used her magnificent serve and flat, crisp groundstrokes to devastating effect at Devonshire Park – she crunched 10 aces and 39 winners while committing just 15 unforced errors. She also saved all four break points she faced.

After falling in the 2016 Eastbourne final to Dominika Cibulkova, Pliskova becomes the first Czech since Jana Novotna in 1998 to win the title on England’s south coast.

That same year, Navotna went on to win Wimbledon.

“This feels better,” said Pliskova when asked to compare her emotions between now and 12 months ago at the same event.

“My service is definitely my biggest weapon and if it’s working it causes the other player a lot of problems.

“I’m going to go step-by-step and hopefully I can go far at Wimbledon.”

Wozniacki was dispirited as Pliskova hit corner after corner, line after line in the one hour, 21 minute finale, valiantly challenging a few close calls using Hawk-Eye – to no avail.

Pliskova broke serve in the fifth game and never looked back, maintaining her advantage to take the first set.

Wozniacki struck a crosscourt forehand winner to take a 4-3 lead in the second – and didn’t win another game.

The Czech broke serve in a sloppy ninth game from Wozniacki, smacking a forehand winner down the line to lead 5-4.

She served out the match comfortably in the next game.

During the trophy presentation Wozniacki lamented her poor record in finals this season, which slipped to 0-4 after Saturday’s match.