Karolina Pliskova beat Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4 in the Eastbourne final on Saturday, just two days before the grass-court Grand Slam starts in southwest London.
The No. 3-ranked Pliskova took the first set in just 31 minutes with three service breaks Saturday, and held on to an early break in the second to win the title. She fired seven aces and won 71 percent of points on her first serve.
Pliskova said the score didn’t reflect a tough match.
“I was fighting a lot and I think Angelique is one of the best grass-court players,” she said.
Pliskova didn’t drop a set all week in Eastbourne, and dropped just 19 games across five matches, including a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of fourth-ranked Kiki Bertens in the semifinals. She’s never gone further than the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Kerber hasn’t won a tournament since beating Serena Williams in last year’s Wimbledon final.
Pliskova previously won Eastbourne in 2017, a year after losing the final. Kerber has lost all three finals she has played at the Wimbledon tuneup.
Kerber starts her Wimbledon title defense against fellow German Tatjana Maria, and is in the same quarter of the draw as Williams and top-ranked Ash Barty. Pliskova starts against China’s Zhu Lin.
-
Kerber swats aside Halep to reach Eastbourne semi-finals
Angelique Kerber’s Wimbledon preparation gained momentum as she thumped Simona Halep 6-4 6-3 in a battle of former world number ones to reach ... Sports -
Efficient Pliskova proves too strong for ‘tired’ Osaka
Former world number one Karolina Pliskova utilised her big serve to full effect to ease to a 6-4 6-4 victory over home favourite and US Open champion ... Sports -
Sharapova steals main stage spotlight by destroying Pliskova
Maria Sharapova was back on Roland Garros’ main stage for the first time in three years and put on a dazzling display as she demolished Czech ... Sports -
Tennis: Dominant Pliskova beats Vandeweghe to win Stuttgart title
Karolina Pliskova won her first title of the year on Sunday with a 7-6(2) 6-4 victory over American CoCo Vandeweghe in the final of the Porsche Tennis ... Sports