Prague, Czech Republic (SportsNetwork.com) – Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova and
qualifier Lucie Hradecka will battle in Saturday’s all-Czech final at the
Prague Open.
Friday’s semifinals saw the world No. 14 Pliskova beat Belgian Yanina
Wickmayer 6-4, 7-5 and Hradecka outlast 18-year-old fellow Czech Katerina
Siniakova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 at this clay-court event.
Pliskova’s victory was her WTA-leading 27th match win of the year.
“I’m still not happy with the way I’m playing here, but on the other hand I’m
never happy,” said Pliskova. “At least I didn’t have a big gap in
concentration like in my last matches, and I’m happy that I can save some
energy for the final.”
Pliskova and Hradecka have split two career matchups, but Hradecka prevailed
in a second-rounder here in Prague back in 2011.
The 23-year-old Pliskova is 3-5 in her career WTA finals, including runner-up
finishes in Sydney and Dubai this year.
Hradecka, who will turn 30 later this month, is winless in five career finals.
Saturday’s winner will claim $43,000.
