|
Pliskova let a 5-2 lead slip away in the second set before
recovering to earn the victory after a two-hour battle.
She advances to face Svetlana Kuznetsova, who earlier defeated
fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-2.
Pliskova, who won the Qatar Open title last month, looked poised
to advance after breaking her opponent’s service twice in the
second set and was serving for the match at 5-2.
However, Muguruza rallied and pushed the match to another
tiebreaker, where Pliskova pulled herself together and sealed
the victory.
Two-time major winner Kuznetsova was determined not to lose to
compatriot Pavlyuchenkova for a third time this year.
“I lost two times this year, so today was kind of an important
match," Kuznetsova said. "I know I felt much better on the
court. It was good to focus.”
Kuznetsova, ranked eighth in the world, is bidding to reach the
final at Indian Wells for a third time after runner-up finishes
in 2007 and 2008.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
