By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Andrea Petkovic reached her second career Miami Open semifinal with a straight sets win over Karolina Pliskova on Tuesday.
Photo Source: @Tennis_Shots
Andrea Petkovic’s 2015 is in full bloom, while Karolina Pliskova’s leaves might already be changing. The German ripped through the tall, wiry Czech on Tuesday to set up a semifinal with either Carla Suarez Navarro or Simona Halep at the Miami Open.
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“I really don’t know,” said Petkovic when asked on court about why she plays so well in the spring. “Maybe it’s the hormones. I mean spring, hormones there must be something. I can’t explain it but I always feel really good and really comfortable and welcomed in the U.S., and I love it here – Miami is one of my favorite places. When you feel comfortable you just play good.”
Petkovic survived a strong fightback from Pliskova in the first set. After the rising Czech fell behind 4-1, she rallied to take three consecutive games and had three break points to take a 5-4 lead. But Petkovic saved them all then broke at love in the next game to take the set as a frustrated Pliskova tossed her racquet and didn’t even bother to pick it up before heading to her chair.
In the second set, Pliskova appeared gassed while Petkovic pumped the gas pedal. She would eventually break the hard-serving world No. 14 for a fifth time, closing the match in her third match point.
Petkovic managed 17 winners against only 10 unforced errors on the day, while Pliskova committed 27 unforced errors against only 18 winners.
The WTA’s ace leader thus far in 2015 was only able to manage one ace on the day.
With her semifinal performance, Petkovic manages her career-best run in Miami. She reached the semis in 2011 after upsetting then No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic in back-to-back matches.