Pliskova powers previous Konta to take Rome title
Karolina Pliskova ended Johanna Konta’s hopes of touchdown a primary clay-court title with a 6-Three, 6-Four victory within the Italian Open ultimate in Rome on Sunday.
The Czech world No. 7 didn’t drop a single service sport as she secured the third clay-court title of her profession and her first in Rome in a single hour and 25 minutes.
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British No. 1 Konta struggled to hassle Pliskova on function she fell to a seventh loss in eight conferences between the gamers.
The end result means Pliskova would be the No. 2 seed on the French Open later this month after she strikes to second place on the earth rankings on Monday.
“I used to be somewhat bit nervous at this time, it is a ultimate so it’s important to be. Jo performed nice tennis so she made it fairly powerful for me,” Pliskova mentioned.
Requested about her prospects at Roland Garros, she added: “I simply hope I can take the tennis I used to be enjoying right here to Paris and we’ll see.
“I feel there might be an opportunity for me if I play this fashion however there’s going to be some powerful opponents who’re enjoying good tennis on clay.”
Konta had overwhelmed Grand Slam winners Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams in addition to Madrid Open champion Kiki Bertens on her option to the ultimate, however she was instantly underneath strain as she was damaged by the relentless Pliskova in her opening service sport.
Konta was then pressured to save lots of a set level at 5-2 earlier than Pliskova duly served out the primary set after the Briton did not benefit from the one break level she was afforded within the match at 5-Three.
Pliskova missed a break level in Konta’s opening service sport of the second set however ultimately broke the 28-year-old at Three-Three earlier than holding serve to safe victory.
Konta remained upbeat, saying: “I am happy with how I have been progressing this yr and the way I have been enhancing with each match.
“To make it to a ultimate right here, that is my second largest ultimate after Miami, this can be a huge second for me.”