WTA Cincinnati: Pliskova marches into semifinals

With yesterday’s rain meaning matches were carried over, there was plenty of doubling up for the quarterfinalists on a busy Friday in Cincinnati.

World No.1 Karolina Pliskova was one such player forced to play twice. The Czech star, who needs a deep run at the tournament to defend her place at the top of the world, was pushed to three sets by dogged Italian Camila Giorgi. In a match that, according to WTA scores, lasted 18 hours and 14 minutes, Pliskova secured the win 6-3 4-6 6-0.

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Caroline Wozniacki was up next for the world No.1. After her defeat at the Rogers Cup it was Pliskova’s opportunity to get revenge over the Dane. Dominant from the off, the world No.1 booked a spot in the semifinal with a 6-2 6-4 win in little over an hour.

Another player forced to double up was Sloane Stephens. The American, who seems to have recaptured her form from years gone by, first downed Ekaterina Makarova 2-6 6-3 6-4, before going on to beat Julia Goerges (who had earlier conquered Elina Svitolina) 6-1 7-6(3).

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Garbine Muguruza, meanwhile, won one of the matches of the year during her impressive win over Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Spanish fourth seed needed tow hours 45 minutes to down the Russian 6-2 5-7 7-5.

“I think it was one of the best matches of the year,” Muguruza said after the match. “I think we both played very well, especially in the third set. I know I won, but I’m sure she feels like it was a great match as well, because it was a tough battle and very hot out there.”

In the last quarterfinal of the day, Simona Halep battled past Johanna Konta to keep her bid for the world No.1 alive. The Romanian, who could jump ahead of Pliskova in the rankings if results go her way, booked a semifinal meeting against Sloane Stephens with a 6-4 7-6(1) win.