Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza restore order; reach Dubai quarters

Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza re-established order among seeds on Wednesday as both reached quarter-finals of WTA Dubai Championships. While number two Czech Pliskova strolled in barely an hour to a 6-1 6-2 defeat of qualifier Kristina Mlevic, it took number nine Muguruza almost two and a half hours to get past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 4-6 6-4.

RE: Top-seeded Simona Halep vances at Dubai Championships

RE: Sania and her partner Garcia sail into Dubai Open doubles pre-quarterfinals

Victories against major names

pair of victories came a day after three major names me exits, with holder Belinda Bencic, third seed Elina Svitolina and Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin all going out. Tournament number one Simona Halep was making her start later, facing sentimental fan favourite Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.Pliskova pegged back Mlevic after Frenchwoman earned only her first main draw win of season in first round.

"It's always a tough one against her. We played in Australia, so I knew what to expect," Pliskova said."I was t playing amazing but still, even with a couple of mistakes, I didn't give up." score looked a little bit easier than it really was, we h a couple of tough games." 
 

Muguruza h to struggle two days after ending current comeback of Kim Clijsters as Spain's double grand Slam champion grappled with her world number 39 opponent.

're's a lot of things that I could have done better':  Muguruza

"re's a lot of things that I could have done better," Muguruza, a quarter-finalist in 2015 and 2018, said. "But I'm excited that I gave myself ar opportunity to be in quarters." Last month's Australian Open finalist ded: "I'm just happy that I get se tough matches.

"Honestly, difference is very, very small, I'm just pleased to go through."   Muguruza secured her place with a break in final game as she converted on her first match point. ninth-seeded Spaniard will bid for semi-finals on Thursday, taking on Jennifer Bry, a 4-6 6-4 6-21 winner against Marketa Vondrousova. 

RE: Clijsters 'feels good' despite losing first match in tennis comeback

RE: French Open Junior Wild Card Series in Delhi from Feb 24, Mary Pierce is event ambassor

(Im Courtesy: AP)