The 2019 runner-up Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) is out of the WTA 1000 Miami Open, losing in the first round to Donna Vekic (Croatia) by 1-2 (4:6, 6:2, 2:6) in 2:01 hours of play.
The Czech tennis player started the match hesitantly, losing her first serve game already. However, she succeeded to return the break and equalize to 2:2 and even had a two breakpoint in the sixth game, but at the end Donna Vekic broke her serve once again in the ninth game for 5:4 and closed the set at 6:4 in her serve.
The second set was under the dominance of Karolina Pliskova, who made two breaks in the 4th and 8th games to win by 6:2, although saved two breakpoints in the 7th game.
In the decisive third set, Donna Vekic improved her gameplay and broke her opponent already in the opening game and with another break for 4:1 secured her win by 6:2.
Thus, in the second round Donna Vekic will face the 14th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova (Russia).
The qualifier Nadia Podoroska (Argentina) also advanced to the second round of the WTA 1000 Miami Open after eliminated Ashlyn Krueger (USA) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:2). Earlier, Arantxa Rus (Netherlands) defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spain) by 2-0 (6:0, 6:3), Emiliana Arango (Colombia) eliminated Tatjana Maria (Germany) after 2-0 (6:2, 6:3) and Claire Liu (USA) won her match versus Petra Martic (Croatia) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:1).