Karolina Pliskova will play this Sunday (14:30, DAZN) for the third time in a row in the WTA 1,000 final in Rome. The 29-year-old Czech and 9th in the world defeated the Croatian, 30 and 25th, 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3, Petra Martic, a player who did not do well (3-4 in the particular balance now), and will face Iga Swiatek.
The 19-year-old Polish beat the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in a quarterfinal match that could not be played on Friday because of the rain (6-2 and 7-5 in 1h: 36) and hours later she was measured with the 17-year-old American Coco Gauff in a teenage duel that was to be played at the Centrale when the Opelka-Nadal ended, but finally she went to the Grandstand, due to the accumulated delay in the main one. Swiatek did not show fatigue, saved his efforts and won again 7-6 (3) and 6-3 in 1h: 46 in the youngest semi-final in the category (36 years combined) since Pavluychenkova and Ivanovic played at Indian Wells 2009 (38).
Pliskova continues her lucky star in Rome, where she was a champion in 2019 (she beat Konta) and a finalist in 2020 (she lost to Halep). She will face the reigning Roland Garros champion for the first time, who is stomping on clay.
Results WTA 1.000 Rome.