World No.11 Karolina Pliskova is now about to crack the Top 10, but she could also collect her first WTA Premier-level title if she manages to get past last year's finalist Angelique Kerber in Sunday's title match at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford.
Upset-maker Varvara Lepchenko, who had ousted top seed Caroline Wozniacki from the tournament, was Pliskova's victim in the semifinals. It was not a straightforward win, as Pliskova gave away a 4-2 lead in the second set and found herself trailing 4-5, before recovering with three straight game wins for a 6-2 7-5 triumph.