Pliskova defeats Vondrousova to set up No 1 vs No 2 final in Rome
Karolina Pliskova crushes Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets during semi-final action in Rome on Sunday. Pliskova is through to a marquee matchup with Simona Help in Monday’s title tilt.
Karolina Pliskova
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Internazionali BNL d’Italia semi-final
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Pliskova d. Vondrousova 6-2, 6-4
- Key info: Pliskova is one win away from defending her 2019 Rome title
- You will also learn: The top two seeds will headline Monday’s championship match
- Why you should read this story: It sets the stage for a blockbuster battle between Pliskova and Simona Halep
Clay is thought to be Karolina Pliskova’s worst surface, but she is one win away from making it back-to-back titles at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Pliskova earned a return trip to the Rome final by beating Marketa Vondrousova in easy straight sets on Sunday. The Czech needed one hour and 22 minutes to advance.
The defending champion is in.@KaPliskova blows past Vondroušová 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Rome Final. #IBI20 pic.twitter.com/yP05yyJSuu
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 20, 2020
Pliskova powers through semi-final
The world No 4 fired six aces and was especially impressive on return, breaking Vondrousova on five occasions. Pliskova had chances in the second game before earning the breakthrough at 2-1 of the first set without any trouble. A tougher game with Vondrousova serving at 2-5 went to three deuces, with Pliskova eventually converting her third set point. The 2019 Roland-Garros runner-up at least managed to make the second set more interesting, as she led by a break early and then recovered from a break down to reach 4-4. With the pressure on at 4-5, however, Vondrousova could not deliver a necessary hold. Pliskova’s fifth break of the afternoon wrapped things up in style.
Final vs Halep
Next up for Pliskova is No 1 seed Simona Halep, who battled past Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-4 earlier on Sunday. Halep, who is on a 13-match winning streak, is through to the Rome final for the third time in her career. The Romanian previously finished runner-up in 2017 and 2018, both times to Elina Svitolina.
