Karolina Pliskova wins Nottingham Aegon Open after rain delay

Video: Pliskova clinched the title with a stunning cross-court backhand (From British Tennis)

Top seed Karolina Pliskova won her first-ever grass court title at the Aegon Nottingham Open.

The Czech star beat American Alison Riske 7-6(8), 7-5 on Sunday.

She ended Riske’s nine-match winning streak on grass in a high-quality match lasting nearly two hours at Nottingham Tennis Centre in Lenton.

Pliskova’s win is the fifth WTA tour title of her career and cements her place in the top 20 players in the world.

Riske had four set points in the opener but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunities that came her way before her opponent edged a tense tie-break.

The American then had a 4-2 lead in the second as well but could hold on, losing her serve three times on her way to defeat.

Last year, Pliskova lost out in the Aegon Classic Birmingham final but was not to be denied in Nottingham.

Bright blue skies and scorching sunshine blessed the event for the first six days but the final was delayed until the early afternoon due to rain.

My week couldn’t have been better

Pliskova said: “It was not an easy match, she also deserved to win and it was down to a few points. I am really happy that I made it and closed it out in two sets.

“I am really happy and my week couldn’t have been better. I have been coming here a few years, I know the city pretty well and it’s my first time wining the trophy here so I enjoyed it.”

Riske added: “It was a brutal match and congratulations to Karolina. She played so well. Thanks to everyone who came to watch and for a great week.

“It has been a great couple of weeks and I always love coming to the grass and England. I love coming to Nottingham and back here.”

In the doubles final, Andrea Hlavackova and Peng Shuai beat the fourth seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Yang Zhaoxuan in a championship tie-breaker 7-5 2-6 [10-7] to secure the title.

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