So many times has Simona Halep been in a close-but-not-yet situation when it comes to career milestones and once again the Romanian’s nerves are being tested as her chance to return to No.1 ranking fell apart with a semifinal loss to Czech Karolina Pliskova at the Miami Open. The world No.7 Pliskova reeled off ten of the last eleven games to fight back from 5-3 down in the first set en route to a 7-5 6-1 triumph on a rain-interrupted day.
For the Premier Mandatory title, the fifth-seeded Pliskova will battle with Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, who will debut in the Top 10 next week. The 12th-seeded Barty endured three rain delays before defeating Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-3 in the semifinals.
MORE MIAMI OPEN 2019 PHOTOS:
- Wednesday: Halep, Pliskova complete semifinal field
- Tuesday: Barty, Kontaveit to meet in the semifinals
- Monday: Halep beats Venus, injury ends Andreescu’s run
- Sunday: Halep & Venus book fourth-round clash
- Saturday: Osaka knocked out, Andreescu keeps winning
- Friday: Osaka & Halep progress, Svitolina upset in the second round
- Thursday: Key, Azarenka out in the second round, Bajin spotted in Mladenovic’s box
- Wednesday: Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Osaka & Serena
