Karolina Pliskova beats Petra Kvitova to reach semi-finals of WTA Finals

Declan Campbell
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Karolina Pliskova celebrates

Karolina Pliskova booked her place in the semi-final of the WTA Finals after beating her Czech compatriot Petra Kvitova in a two-set haul.

Kvitova needed a straight-sets win in order to stand any chance of qualification from the White Group, but defeat to Pliskova compounds a miserable tournament for the 2011 champion, having lost all three games.

 

The world No 8 recorded her first victory over Kvitova in four attempts as she ran out the comfortable winner in a 6-3, 6-4 outcome. The former world No 1 reaches the semis for the second successive year, reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki faces Elina Svitolina later on Thursday for a place in the remaining semi-final bracket.

Pliskova broke the serve of her close friend in what proved to be the penultimate game of the match, as she made quick work of the two-time Grand Slam champion.

 

“I cannot be more happy right now,” the 26-year-old told reporters in her post-match interview.

“It was a good match and she’s a great player. She has always beaten me in the past but I knew I had a chance as I have been playing well.”

Among her potential semi-final opponents from the Red Group are top seed Angelique Kerber, US Open champion Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens and Kiki Bertens, who replaced the injured world No 1 Simona Halep.

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