Pliskova defies rain to progress

28 April 2015 05:47

Top seed Karolina Pliskova battled through the rain and past Annika Beck into the second round of the Prague Open.

The Czech, ranked 14 in the world, overcame two delays to delight the home supporters who had braved the weather as she came from behind to beat the German 2-6 6-1 6-3.

"It was my first match on clay so it took me while to get used to it," she said.

"The first set was bad, I was freezing, could not move, conditions were perfect for my opponent. She was defending and running very well."

Pliskova added on www.wtatennis.com: "It is tough to play in such a cold and rain, but I don't complain, it was the same for both of us.

"The court was in perfect condition, just the rain was too strong."

The 23-year-old will next face Tsvetana Pironkova after the Bulgarian got through with little trouble against qualifier Olga Govortsova 7-5 6-1.

Those supporters who had stayed out on Centre Court later saw Plzen's Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeat American Madison Brengle 7-6 (7/5) 6-3.

Elsewhere, number seven seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland lost to Croatian Ana Konjuh.

Source: PA