Dubai, UAE (dpa) - Garbine Muguruza won an all-Iberian battle over
doubles partner Carla Suárez Navarro 6-7 (4-7) 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday
to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Classic.
Muguruza will line up against on-form Czech Karolina Pliskova, a winner over compatriot and 11th seed Lucie Safarova 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. It was the 16th win of the season against just four defeats for Pliskova.
Muguruza has the chance to take over the Spanish number one ranking spot from Suarez Navarro should she claim the title on Saturday at the Aviation Club.
The winner finished with ten aces to none for her opponent and broke seven times in a struggle lasting for more than two hours. The day's Czech clash also surpassed the two-hour mark.
Muruguza, ranked 24th and climbing, duplicated her quarter-final showing from Sydney last month.
The winner said there was also a psychological factor as she faced Suarez Navarro.
"When you play one of your best friends on court, you're like all the time thinking, come on, keep going. You know how the other one plays so much, so it's hard.
"I was sad because I lost the first set, but I said, 'If I want to win this match I cannot play bad the second set. My only chance is to win the second set and try to have chances to win the match.'
"In the second set I was able to give it all, and if I win, I will have options to win the match."
Muguruza beat Pliskova - a twin who has a tennis-playing sibling Kristyne also on the WTA - at the French Open two years ago, but has trouble remembering which of the pair she actually faced.
"I don't know if it was her sister before, but, well, she's playing great this year. I think she's the one that won more matches in 2015.
"I saw the match with Safarova, another tough match and playing from the same country, like my match. So I think it's going to be a tough match."
Pliskova, who came from a set and a break down, was pleased with her performance.
"It's always hard to play someone from Czech Republic. I already played (Czechs) two times in two weeks, so I don't really like those matches.
"Of course it's great win for me. She's a great player, and she's on the tour quite long and doing good results, even winning Australian Open doubles, so I have to say I'm very happy that I won today," said last weekend's Antwerp semi-finalist who lost to Suarez Navarro.
Muguruza will line up against on-form Czech Karolina Pliskova, a winner over compatriot and 11th seed Lucie Safarova 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. It was the 16th win of the season against just four defeats for Pliskova.
Muguruza has the chance to take over the Spanish number one ranking spot from Suarez Navarro should she claim the title on Saturday at the Aviation Club.
The winner finished with ten aces to none for her opponent and broke seven times in a struggle lasting for more than two hours. The day's Czech clash also surpassed the two-hour mark.
Muruguza, ranked 24th and climbing, duplicated her quarter-final showing from Sydney last month.
The winner said there was also a psychological factor as she faced Suarez Navarro.
"When you play one of your best friends on court, you're like all the time thinking, come on, keep going. You know how the other one plays so much, so it's hard.
"I was sad because I lost the first set, but I said, 'If I want to win this match I cannot play bad the second set. My only chance is to win the second set and try to have chances to win the match.'
"In the second set I was able to give it all, and if I win, I will have options to win the match."
Muguruza beat Pliskova - a twin who has a tennis-playing sibling Kristyne also on the WTA - at the French Open two years ago, but has trouble remembering which of the pair she actually faced.
"I don't know if it was her sister before, but, well, she's playing great this year. I think she's the one that won more matches in 2015.
"I saw the match with Safarova, another tough match and playing from the same country, like my match. So I think it's going to be a tough match."
Pliskova, who came from a set and a break down, was pleased with her performance.
"It's always hard to play someone from Czech Republic. I already played (Czechs) two times in two weeks, so I don't really like those matches.
"Of course it's great win for me. She's a great player, and she's on the tour quite long and doing good results, even winning Australian Open doubles, so I have to say I'm very happy that I won today," said last weekend's Antwerp semi-finalist who lost to Suarez Navarro.
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