Pliskova remains on course in Linz

KarolinaPliskova

The Czech world number 30 is the only seed left in the WTA International hard-court event and booked her place in the semi-finals with relative comfort against the American qualifier.

Pliskova left it late to move in front as she broke Brengle's serve in the final game of the opening set having been 40-15 down at one point.

Both players struggled to hold serve in the second, but Pliskova again sealed victory in the final game at the second time of asking.

Pliskova will now face another qualifier in the form of Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam for a place in the final.

World number 94 Friedsam caused the upset of the day as she came from behind to beat 65th-ranked Stefanie Voegele 4-6 6-2 6-3.

The winner of the clash between Pliskova and Friedsam will be up against Italian opposition in the final after Karin Knapp and Camila Giorgi came through their respective quarter-final encounters.

Knapp booked her place in the last four with a 6-4 4-6 6-4 triumph over Tsvetana Pironkova - ranked 15 places higher in the WTA standings.

After being broken at 3-3 in the opening set, Knapp bounced back late on to put herself in a commanding position.

Pironkova outnumbered Knapp by three breaks to two in the second, but the Italian edged the third, eventually putting the tie to bed after six match points.

Giorgi's progression to the semi-finals was more straightforward - beating Marina Erakovic 6-3 7-5.

The 22-year-old was 5-3 down in the second set but won four games on the bounce to seal the win.

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