Tennis ace Pliskova carves out win in Wuhan

The 25-year-old Czech overpowered Zhang 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in just over two hours, breaking an unlucky streak for the competition's top seeds that saw many exit the Chinese tournament in the first two days.

Published : Sep 26, 2017 17:08 IST , China

Czech's Karolina Pliskova hits a return against Shuai Zhang of China during their second round women's singles match at the WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan.
Czech's Karolina Pliskova hits a return against Shuai Zhang of China during their second round women's singles match at the WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan.
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Czech's Karolina Pliskova hits a return against Shuai Zhang of China during their second round women's singles match at the WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan.

Karolina Pliskova triumphed over China's second-ranked player Zhang Shuai in the Wuhan Open second round on Tuesday after a tense three-set battle.

The 25-year-old Czech overpowered Zhang 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in just over two hours, breaking an unlucky streak for the competition's top seeds that saw many exit the Chinese tournament in the first two days.

Pliskova, seeded three, has never lost a match against Zhang and once again showed she had the measure of her Chinese opponent, who had been on a high after winning the Guangzhou Open last week.

She will now face another home crowd favourite, Wang Qiang, the first ever Chinese player to reach the third round at Wuhan.

Elsewhere, Radwanska, seeded nine, defeated German Julia Goerges 7-5, 7-5.

Aleksandra Krunic, beaten by Zhang Shuai in the final of the Guangzhou Open on Saturday, saw off Richel Hogenkamp in straight sets, while 2015 champion Nao Hibino defeated Irina Khromacheva.

Tatjana Maria, Jana Cepelova, Kurumi Nara and Aryna Sabalenka also made it through.

Johanna Konta, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova were among the top seeds to exit the tournament on Monday.

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