CINCINNATI, OH, USA – No.15 seed Karolina Pliskova booked the first spot into the third round of the Western & Southern Open after a 6-4, 6-1 win over Jelena Ostapenko.

Watch live action from Cincinnati this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Yesterday, the Latvian teenager produced a stunning comeback to advance against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, but she was unable to produce the same tennis a second time. Ostapenko’s troubles started well before she and Pliskova took to the court, though, as heavy weather conditions in Cincinnati delayed the match for over an hour and dark clouds loomed overhead.

But the dubious conditions only played into Pliskova’s advantage, as the court speed seemed tailor-made for her game.

“The conditions here are pretty fast, so it’s good for me for the serve, the return, and overall for my aggressive game,” Pliskova explained after the match. “So I’m really happy that it’s working. Really happy with the way I closed the match today.”

It took the Czech a few games to get going, with Ostapenko going up 40-0 and eventually breaking Pliskova’s first service game. Pliskova broke back immediately, and batted away a second opportunity for Ostapenko to keep the pair level. The faster surface allowed Pliskova to keep the points short, staying steady to allow Ostapenko to make the errors. The gambit worked and Pliskova broke again to take the first set 6-4.

Ostapenko seemed to crumple from there, being broken three more times as the Czech reeled off six games in a row to ease through after an hour and 12 minutes. Pliskova struck 20 winners to 19 unforced errors, while Ostapenko hit 16 and 26, respectively. Pliskova was also more consistent on the big points, taking five of the six break opportunities while Ostapenko converted just one of five.

“I’m really happy with my win today,” Pliskova said. “I think I played a pretty solid match. Even with the conditions today; we are waiting on the court and even before we went on the court it was raining as well.

“I’m just happy I made it and I’m through to the next round.”

She awaits the winner of t the winner of the second round match between lucky loser Misaki Doi and American wildcard Christina McHale.

Earlier in the day Alizé Cornet, Alison Riske, Timea Babos and Tsvetana Pironkova beat the rain to round out the last of the second round spots.

More to come…