Pliskova wins second Eastbourne title

Angie Kerber (4) and Karolina Pliskova (2) were both contesting their third final at the seaside resort of Eastbourne.

Kerber was hoping for her first title, while Pliskova was lining up for a second trophy following her 2017 success.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

The pair had met on 11 occasions previously, with Kerber ahead 7-4. They clashed twice in 2018, Kerber winning in Dubai, and Pliskova prevailing in the Fed Cup later on.

Pliskova served first and held well, dropping just one point and firing one forehand winner which was typical of her whole tournament. Brilliance at the net saw Pliskova win the first point of the next game, on Kerber’s serve. A forehand winner from the defending Wimbledon champion was insufficient as Pliskova belted two forehands which while not clean winners, were as good as, and the break arrived. 2-0 to the Czech star.

In response to a Pliskova forehand winner, Kerber smashed a forehand return winner, and with a double fault, the second seed trailed 15-30. This was rectified with three powerful forehands, the final two delivered into open court, prompting the scoreboard to change to 3-0.

Germany’s demoralisation continued as Pliskova lit up the court in game four, initially with a backhand touch volley, then via a cross court forehand winner. Kerber netted a backhand to be down three break points, but to her credit she fought them all off, a backhand winner included. However, a fourth break point was unable to be saved, and Pliskova led 4-0. The first chink in the Czech armour came in the next game, when Kerber created a break point. Pliskova led 40-30 before Kerber sent a backhand whistling past her, and then a controlled backhand produced an error off the Czech racquet. An attempted drop shot from Pliskova failed, and Kerber broke serve, troubling the scorer for the first time.

Pliskova retaliated effectively, and although she saw two break points vanish through winning Kerber tennis, the final three points came home to the Czech Republic, attack and defence both on show. Pliskova broke to lead 5-1.

Serving for the set, Pliskova was down a break point after a sensational Kerber backhand return winner, but finished smartly, using the serving weapon. The set was over 6-1.

Pliskova converted the second of two break points in the opening game of set two, and for the following five games neither player was taken to deuce when serving.

At 2–4, Kerber landed in more trouble at the line. She extracted herself from danger, saving three break points, and stayed within reach at 3-4. At 3-5, the German player held firm while serving to stay in the match, and forced Pliskova to serve it out.

A forehand winner was made easier thanks to a big serve. A netted backhand slowed the road to victory. Two reliable first serves took Pliskova to 40-15 and two match points. One saved with a Kerber winner. A Pliskova backhand winner ended the contest.

Karolina Pliskova was in stellar form as she defeated Angie Kerber 6-1 6-4, to capture her second Eastbourne title, a perfect preparation for Wimbledon.

This was title number three for 2019, each won on a different surface.