Rome
The Czech world number seven did not drop a single service game as she secured the third clay title of her career and her first in Rome. British number one Konta had claimed some big scalps on her way to the final, beating Grand Slam winners Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams as well as Madrid Open champion Kiki Bertens.
However, she struggled to trouble the Czech on serve as Pliskova recorded her seventh win in eight meetings with Konta. The result meant Pliskova will be the number two seed at the French Open later this month, with her moving to second place in the world rankings on Monday.
“I was a little bit nervous, it’s a final so you have to be. Jo played great tennis, so she made it quite tough for me,” said Pliskova.
Asked about her prospects at Roland Garros, she added: “I just hope I can take the tennis I was playing here to Paris and we’ll see. I think there will be a chance for me if I play this way but there are going to be some tough opponents.”
Konta was broken in her opening service game before she saved a set point at 2-5. But Pliskova served out the first set after the Briton failed to take advantage of the only break point she was afforded, at 5-3.
Pliskova missed a break point in Konta’s opening service game of the second set but eventually broke the 28-year-old at 3-3 before holding serve to secure victory. Konta remained upbeat, saying: “I’m pleased with how I’ve been progressing this year and how I’ve been improving with every match. To make a final here, this is my second biggest final after Miami, this is a big moment for me.”
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