Karolina Pliskova beats Aryna Sabalenka to advance to the National Bank Open final

Karolina Pliskova beat top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-4 and will face Camilia Giorgi who defeated U.S. qualifier Jessica Pegula 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Published : Aug 15, 2021 07:45 IST

Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, salutes the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in their semifinal match at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament action in Montreal.
Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, salutes the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in their semifinal match at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament action in Montreal.
lightbox-info

Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, salutes the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in their semifinal match at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament action in Montreal.

Fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic beat top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the National Bank Open final.

“I think I was super solid today,” Pliskova said.

“Just did everything I was supposed to do to win this match.”

Pliskova will face Camilia Giorgi of Italy, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 winner over U.S. qualifier Jessica Pegula in the night match.

READ | US Open bars spectators at qualifying over Covid concerns

Pliskova broke early in the match, taking a 2-1 lead after Sabalenka sent a ball long following an extended rally.

Sabalenka, ranked No. 3 from Belarus, was inconsistent all match, committing five double-faults and saving just four of seven break points.

She threw her racket to the ground in frustration early in the second set.

Pliskova finished with 10 aces.

Pliskova broke early in the match, taking a 2-1 lead after Sabalenka sent a ball long following an extended rally.

Sabalenka began to settle in midway through the second set, coming toward the net, then dropping shots behind her opponent.

Pliskova used her strong serve to stay ahead, saving a break point with an ace and two other serves Sabalenka couldn’t control.

“I’m quite calm. Of course I have some nerves and emotions but I try not to show it that much,” Pliskova said.

“There is a lot of things happening on the court but I think the main thing is just to have a goal and follow that goal.”

ALSO READ |

Pliskova won the last of her 16 WTA Tour titles in 2020 in Brisbane. Last month, she beat Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semifinals, then lost the final to Ash Barty.

Giorgi has two career victories, the last in 2018 at Linz.

Pegula, the daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Kim and Terry Pegula, won her lone WTA Tour title in 2019, beating Giorgi in the Citi Open final in Washington.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment