Miami Open: Pliskova, Cibulkova cruise into third around

TIL Desk Sports/ Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova cruised into the third round of the Miami Open with a 6-1 6-3 win over Madison Brengle on Thursday while Dominika Cibulkova beat Paraguayan qualifier Veronica Cepede Royg 6-3, 6-2.

Pliskova, a finalist at last year’s US Open who reached the semi-finals at Indian Wells last week, relied on her booming groundstrokes and strong returning to dispatch her American opponent in 59 minutes.

“The last few matches it’s not really about my serve because the percentage is a little low, but I’m happy that I have my game from the baseline,” Pliskova, who hit 27 winners compared to six for Brengle, said after the match.

“I was feeling the ball pretty well today.” Pliskova controlled the rallies, winning six straight games to finish off the opening set and go up a break in the second. Brengle then attacked Pliskova’s serve to earn her first service break, but the world number three re-established the lead in the next game and served out to end the match.