VERONIKA Kudermetova and Aryna Sabalenka are through to the quarter finals of the Ostrava Open after claiming come-from-behind victories. Kudermetova toppled second seed Karolina Pliskova – who slumped to a 10-7 record since winning in Brisbane earlier this year – as the world number 47 got up 4-6 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 56 minutes.

The Russian talent served up one more ace than her opponent (10-9) and had a much higher serving efficiency (64 to 59 per cent) and most importantly first serve points winning record (78 per cent) as she went on to break five times from seven chances whilst only being broken the four times from 10 opportunities. In the end the Russian was just more consistent for longer, particularly in the last two sets. It was not the first time this year Kudermetova has beaten the world number six who has slipped down the rankings, winning back in August at the Western & Southern Open.

“This is the second time we’ve played this year and I beat her twice, so I think it was a good match from me,” Kudermetova said post-match. “I tried to hit every ball, use my serve, and stayed calm after losing the first set. “I was more focused. I may have rushed too much in the first set, but after that, I tried to think what I needed to do and what I could expect. I think that was the key to the match.”

Picture: Jimmie48 / WTA