1. Karolina Pliskova v Carla Suarez Navarro
In the all-Czech quarter-final, Karolina Pliskova edged out Lucie Safarova in two sets, 7-6(5) 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes. I was disappointed for Lucie as it sounded like she was the better player in the first set. Lucie won three more points in the opener, but was unable to convert on one of the four break points. Pliskova has a lot going for her at the moment and she has made a really super start to the year. It’s also impressive how she has been able to win three matches in three days having come from Fed Cup duty in Canada. Pliskova will meet Carla Suarez Navarro in the semi-finals. CSN came from a set down to win her first two matches against Camila Giorgi and Monica Niculescu. Against Giorgi, she was completely blown off the court in the first set. Granted, Giorgi gave her a lot of free gifts from then on, but CSN improved markedly and worked her way into the match. In the quarter-finals, Suarez Navarro came from a break down to beat Francesca Schiavone in straight sets, 6-3 6-2. It was a long straight setter lasting one hour and 50 minutes.
The pair are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head; both of their previous matches have gone the distance with Suarez Navarro winning in Montreal last year (6-1 3-6 6-3) and Pliskova winning in the second week of this year in Sydney (4-6 6-4 6-0). I’d definitely back Pliskova in this match although Suarez Navarro is a good enough player to sweep up if Pliskova has an off day. I’ll be intrigued to see if Pliskova shows any sign of fatigue but after three straight setters, I think she will be just fine.
Prediction: Pliskova d. Suarez Navarro in 2 tight sets
2. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova v Andrea Petkovic
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova continued her merry march through the draw with another straight sets win. She defeated Eugenie Bouchard‘s conqueror, Mona Barthel, 6-2 6-2. It was a disappointing performance from Mona. Although she leads the head-to-head with BZS, this was her third consecutive loss against the Czech player. It’s a pretty tough match-up as BZS has become much more solid and gets so many balls back in play. Her variety is also much greater and she was never really troubled. In the last of the quarter-finals, Andrea Petkovic survived a rollercoaster first set to record her fourth consecutive victory against Dominika Cibulkova, 7-6(2) 6-0. Petkovic needed NINE set points to finally wrap up the first set on the tiebreak having twice failed to serve it out. Cibulkova looked to be struggling with an ankle injury, but her spirit was broken after losing the very tight opening set. Petkovic leads the head-to-head 2-1 with Zahlavova Strycova and won their last match indoors in Linz, 7-6(3) 6-2. BZS has been ripping up the head-to-head records this week and she should have plenty in the tank going into this semi-final against Petkovic, who has been through it this past week. BZS for the win…
Prediction: Zahlavova Strycova d. Petkovic in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I’m going Pliskova and BZS. But Suarez Navarro and Petkovic were absolutely solid in their QF matches and could well be the ones into the finals.
CSN seems to give Pliskova more competition than she should do, really. Karolina needs to serve strong from the beginning and really dictate the points. She needs to push the Spaniard well behind the baseline, where a single handed player really has to go for broke to put any depth on their own shots.
LikeLike
First of all, Cibulkova injured herself already since the last match though Petkovic played really well today (according to some news, not sure!). If BZS plays drop shots and makes Petko to run up and down around the court, BZS will win this. I see a all CZEC final. Pliskova is hard to beat at this stage unless something unusual happen to her. CSN starts slow will be finished by Pliskova in two.
LikeLike
I can’t believe this is BZS’s 2nd premier Semi Final of the year already….. great stuff from her. I’d love to see a Pliskova/Petkovic final, with Petko winning. It’s a great chance for all 4 players though to win a big title, and i suppose for all but Petko, their biggest career title to date.
LikeLike
If Cibulkova was not injured and managed to pursue the match to 3rd set. I think Petko would lose because of fatigue. She is not Iron Lady and she will use up her tank very fast facing BZS. I think many have underestimated BZS. She was a two times junior GS and many ITF winners. Please don’t get me wrong. I do like Petko and Porsche but I think title belongs to Pliskova.
LikeLike
I’m learning towards BZS also, but returning to the top 10 for the first time in over 3 years must be a big confidence booster for Petkovic.
LikeLike
Pliskiova more like horriblekova.. That was embarrassing for the sport and the fans should be upset they spent good $$ on that match.. Plisnotta Care more like her name. Show some professionalism girl… Not taking the game away from Navarro, but really that was the poorest showing i have ever seen from a professional tennis player.. She seems like a spoiled brat not caring about much at all.. Guess she can do that.. but that still does not make it right… Sad effort indeed. Stay in bed next time..
LikeLike
Seriously?
LikeLike
Pliskova’s left her serve, her head and her legs at home. And her forehand. She served at around 30% in the first set. And her winner to unforced count doesn’t bare thinking about. Is her fed cup and travel finally catching up with her? She looked fresh yesterday, I’m surprised things could go downhill so fast. Just got the break back in the second set so hopefully she can dig deep, find her first serve and put some pressure on. All too easy for CSN so far.
LikeLike
Yea created not taking the Fed cup as excuse.. She looked fresh yesterday as you mentioned.. Won all other matches in stride so probably not that either.. It is said she just does not care sometimes and expects the win just to come to her a lot of the time… Sorry not when your playing top players on the tour. You have to come prepared everyday and show effort all the time to be in the to 10.. She will hopefully grow up, but she needs to realize this sooner then later..Go get another tattoo maybe that will make up for it.. ;)..
LikeLike
Yeah, she just was not good! She played like Petra Kvitova on one of her bad days…
LikeLike
PS- pretty upset I got up early to watch that debacle….Thx for noitta Plisnotta
LikeLike
Turns out CSN whallops pliskova! That was a surprise . Carla’s first premier final
LikeLike