Defending Champion Pliskova Into Italian Open Final

Defending champion Karolina Pliskova eased into the final of the WTA Italian Open on Sunday to set up a meeting with top seed Simona … Continue reading Defending Champion Pliskova Into Italian Open Final

By Anthonia Orji

Updated September 20, 2020

Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova celebrates after defeating Italy’s Camila Giorgi during their women’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2019. William WEST / AFP

Defending champion Karolina Pliskova eased into the final of the WTA Italian Open on Sunday to set up a meeting with top seed Simona Halep of Romania.

Pliskova, the second seed, beat fellow Czech Marketa Vondrousova 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the final warm-up tournament on clay before the French Open.

Top seed Halep battled to conquer Spanish ninth seed Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in their earlier semi-final at the Foro Italico.

World number two Halep is seeking her first Rome title after finishing runner-up in 2017 and 2018.

AFP