DUBAI: Krystyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic came from a set down to upset 16th-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Sunday.

The 58th-ranked Pliskova, who played under the watchful eye of her twin sister, second-seeded Karolina Pliskova, was facing defeat as Vinci served for the match at 6-3, 5-4.

But Pliskova won the next four games, and then broke Vinci’s serve in the sixth game of the third set to secure the victory.

Tunisian qualifier Ons Jabeur posted the first upset of the tournament, beating 14th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-4.

Australian 12th seed Samantha Stosur of Australia defeated Chinese qualifier Zhang Kai-Lin 6-3, 6-3 while French 15th seed Caroline Garcia became the first into the second round, defeating Swede Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-3 after saving all four break points she faced in the encounter.

Mona Barthels of Germany made good on her wildcard offering by outplaying former top-ranked Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-1, 6-3.

Barthel’s reward for reaching the second round is an encounter with fellow German Angelique Kerber, who can regain the No 1 ranking if she wins the Dubai title.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017