Stanford, United States: Rising star Karolina Pliskova powered her way into the final of the WTA Stanford tennis with a 6-2, 7-5 straight set win over Varvara Lepchenko on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Czech, who will break into the top 10 in world rankings next week, easily took down giant-killer Lepchenko, who upset top seed Caroline Wozniacki earlier in the week.
With her semi-final win, Pliskova books a spot in Sunday’s final against fifth seeded Angelique Kerber. Pliskova will be looking avenge a loss to Kerber in the final of the WTA Birmingham tournament earlier this year.
Kerber defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-1 in the first semi-final Saturday.
Fourth seeded Pliskova was in control for most of the match. She easily took the first set then compiled a 4-2 lead in the second.
Lepchenko made a late charge by winning three consecutive games but the Czech was able to hold on for the win by taking three straight herself.