Pliskova beats Riske to win Nottingham Open

Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova saved seven set points before beating Alison Riske of the United States 7-6 (8), 7-5 in the Nottingham Open final on Sunday.

Pliskova’s first title of 2016 sets her up perfectly for Wimbledon, which begins in two weeks.

If it was time on the court she was after then her run at Nottingham has certainly delivered that, having had to play twice on Saturday to clear a backlog of fixtures owing to Friday’s rain. “Being able to get so many matches against quality players has been good”.

Riske, ranked 89 in the world, eased past her Chinese opponent in a 6-1 7-5 success.

“It was a very tough battle”.

However, she is going away from the tournament with good memories.

She took to Centre Court for her singles clash with heavy strapping on her left thigh, but that did not seem to hinder her play at all. Riske, who won a minor tour event in Eastbourne last week, overcame Anett Kontaveit of Estonia 6-3, 6-3, and Saisai beat the last local hope, qualifier Tara Moore, 6-2, 6-4.

“I came out and I felt pretty good about my tennis, I have had a good tournament coming into it so I am disappointed I couldn’t replicate it. Zheng played really well and she is playing some good tennis”. It was a brutal match because she played so well. Wimbledon is my favourite stop and everything leads to that. I play Jo, it’s not always great to play your friends in the first round, but we are used to that so I am sure we will both sort our heads out before.