By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 20, 2016
Karolina Pliskova beat impending rain and Garbine Muguruza to reach her first ever Cincinnati final.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Karolina Pliskova had two opponents standing in her way of reaching the Western and Southern Open final in Cincinnati. A reigning major champion and an impending downpour.
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In the end, Pliskova beat both just in time to reach her biggest WTA final this season.
“I knew I had to be the one making the pressure,” Pliskova said just after defeating No. 4 seed Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s semifinal. “It was the best match I’ve played this week.”
With rain on the way, the match started under windy conditions. Muguruza seemed more bothered by the wind from the outset especially on her serve. Pliskova enjoyed an early service break while taking care of her own serve.
Muguruza, facing another break point a few games later, struck her second double fault of the day. With that, Pliskova took control for 4-1.
The big serve Czech soon closed out the set 6-1.
During a changover, Muguruza’s coach Sam Sumyk told the the current French Open champion to “try something different” in hopes of turning the match around.
Murugurza did just that in the second set by moving forward to the net and finishing off points with winning volleys. Muguruza finally earned her first serve break later for 3-2 when Pliskova dumped a backhand into the net on break point.
But Muguruza’s advantage didn’t last long. Pliskova kept up her solid play while Muguruza continued to struggle with her serve. Muguruza also had trouble keeping neutral balls in rallies in play often sending them in the net.
Pliskova broke back and held serve for 4-3. A fun drop shot exchange from both in the next game delighted the crowd. Yet Pliskova earned another service break with a chip forehand that Muguruza couldn’t handle.
With a final big serve, Pliskova closed out the 6-1 6-3 victory in one hour and minutes before a downpour started over the stadium.
“I think she really, I don't know, played very well with the wind. She was finding her shots, and me completely opposite,” Muguruza said later. “I didn't feel comfortable at any moment. But I don't dislike to play with wind. I prefer a normal day, but, yeah, she played well with the conditions today.”
Pliskova now looks ahead to her final against either Simona Halep or Angelique Kerber.
“I played both of them. Like I said, I beat both of them; I lost to both of them. There is everything possible. I'm ready for…doesn't matter who wins, I'm going to be ready. I maybe watch a little bit, but it's tough. They have both different game than I have. They are both more defensive players. So still the same for me. I have to be the first one who's dictating the game. I cannot be the one who's running. The pressure has to be on them. I believe I can beat both of them.”