First title since 2020 for Pliskova, wins in Transylvania

Karolina Pliskova continued her dominance over Ana Bogdan, beating her 6-4, 6-3 to win the Cluj-Napoca Transylvania Open.

It is the Czech’s first title of the year, her first since Brisbane in 2020, and 17th overall.

Over the last ten years, these two opponents have now met four times – and only once has the Romanian managed to take even a set from Pliskova, on the hard court of Doha last year.

Bogdan had much the tougher week of it, spending more than twice as much time on court in the four previous matches than Pliskova did – ten hours and 13 minutes compared to four hours and 58 minutes.

Pliskova was economical all week, not dropping a set although she faced just one opponent ranked inside the WTA Top 100, world No 98 Sara Errani, whereas Bogdan had to get past world No 45 Arantxa Rus and world No 81 Jaqueline Cristian in successive rounds.

Still, a relatively short week and a first title of the year will be pleasing to Pliskova, who ended her 2023 season in September due to injury, and is still returning to full match fitness while working her way back up the rankings.

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