Safarova among Czechs set to threaten in Prague

LucieSafarova - Cropped

A trio of Czechs should threaten at the Prague Open as the lead-up to Roland Garros continues.

Karolina Pliskova, Lucie Safarova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova are all set to compete on the clay courts at the WTA International event.

Safarova is a two-time champion, winning the title in 2012 and 2013 - although this event has previously been an ITF Tour-level tournament.

A loss to Caroline Wozniacki ended Safarova's tournament in Stuttgart in the last 16.

The left-hander has enjoyed a good year, including winning the title in Doha in February.

This event will be Pliskova's first on clay in 2015, with her power having led to appearances in finals in Sydney and Dubai.

Zahlavova Strycova is on a four-match losing streak, but she is capable of beating most if she can get on a roll.

Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro is likely the biggest threat to the locals.

The two-time French Open quarter-finalist will be the top seed on the clay, and will take some beating.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu and Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic are the other seeds.

Bencic and Suarez Navarro met in Stuttgart, with the Spaniard winning 6-4 7-6 (7-1).

The 18-year-old Bencic, a quarter-finalist at the US Open last year, has endured a tough 2015.

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