By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, February 19, 2015
Karolina Pliskova beat Czech compatriot Lucie Safarova for the second straight week to reach her third semifinal of the season in Dubai.
Photo credit: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Facebook
Lucie Safarova suffered a case of desert déjà vu today.
Karolina Pliskova advanced to her second straight semifinal — and continued her climb toward the Top 15 — by dispatching a familiar face in Dubai.
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In an all-Czech battle, Pliskova defeated Safarova for the second straight week, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1, to advance to her thrid semifinal of the season.
It was Pliskova's fifth victory of the season against a Top 20 opponent. Pliskova has won nine of her last 10 matches.
The world No. 18 will play Garbine Muguruza for a spot in the final. In their lone prior meeting, Muguruza edged Pliskova on red clay at the 2013 Roland Garros.
The 24th-ranked Muguruza converted seven of 18 break points beating No. 13 Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 in today's all-Spanish quarterfinal.
Last week, the Czechs squared off in the Antwerp quarterfinals with Pliskova posting a 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory. In that loss, Safarova defended her second serve better (winning 73 percent of her second-serve points compared to 57 percent for Pliskova), but suffered the only service break of the match.
In today's rematch, Pliskova won 75 percent of her first-serve points and doubled Safarova in aces (10 to 5).
The opening game spanned nine minutes as both women dug in during protracted baseline rallies. Safarova scored the lone break of the first set then broke again for a 2-1 second-set lead.
Pliskova began to find the range on her forehand, sparking a three-game run. She broke back for 3-all then held for 4-3. Pliskova converted her third set point to take the tiebreaker and level the match.
Safarova snapped Venus Williams' record 16-match Dubai winning streak with a 6-4, 6-2 win on Wednesday, rapping winners like this backhand down the line.
A confident Pliskova broke to open the decider and never looked back. Safarova was often forced to play off her back foot in the final set as Pliskova served 80 percent and did not face a break point in the decider.