Karolina makes it to q-finals, sister bows out

Karolina Pliskova (right) giving her twin sister Kristyna some tips during her match against Donna Vekic of Croatia during the BMW Malaysian Open. Kristyna lost 6-1, 3-6, 5-7. – M. Azhar Arif / THE STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Karolina Pliskova sent a warning that she is ready to defend her BMW Malaysian Open title after cruising into the quarter-finals.

The lanky 22-year-old from Czech Republic, who easily navigated her first round match against Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic, once again came up strong against China’s Duan Ying-Ying on Thursday.