Defending champion:
Karolína Plíšková (5) who defeated Lesia Tsurenko 4-6 7-5 6-2
Quarter final #4
Alison Riske v Karolina Pliskova (2)
Pliskova held serve, then had three break points on the American delivery. Riske saved two but couldn’t contain a blistering off forehand return off a second serve and the break arrived.
Despite some winners, errors off the Czech racquet enabled Riske to break back immediately and trail 1-2.
Only a temporary reprieve as it turned out, the next game one to forget.
As was game seven initially, Pliskova looking poor in a stanza plagued with mistakes. It developed however into a game to remember, booming serves interspersed with slices of pure touch, plus clean winners from both sides of the net. Pliskova held to lead 5-2.
Serving for the set at 5-3, Pliskova was down 15-30, but seemed to stabilise with a big serve. But two errors, one wide and one long gave the break back, and eventually a tie break was required.
Riske recovered from a mini break behind to have two set points at 6-4. She capitulated, losing the next four, a double fault handing the set to Pliskova.
Set two began with Riske taking an eternity to finally drop her serve, then in the blink of an eye she had won two games to be back on track with a 2-1 lead.
Pliskova spoiled the party in the fifth game, and maintained that break through to a 5-3 edge. The service hold in game 8 was not without its drama though.
Riske strolled to the line, attempting to stay in the contest. A long forehand from the American was followed by a backhand winner down the line off the same racquet.
Errors from both players and 30-30.
An off forehand cross court winner from Pliskova brought up match point. It was saved.
Double fault and second match point - also saved. Game point for Riske was blitzed by a clean Czech winner and another game point denied by a double fault.
The third match point was converted when Riske found the net.
Karolina Pliskova won 7-6(6) 6-3
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