Rybakina downs Pliskova to reach Dubai semis, Muguruza out

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - WTA Premier - St Petersburg Ladies Trophy - Sibur Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - February 16, 2020 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during the final against Netherland's Kiki Bertens REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

DUBAI (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina produced another upset by beating second seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6(1) 6-3 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday to move into the semi-finals.

Having knocked out Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the first round, the 20-year-old Rybakina struck 33 winners and 11 aces to oust Pliskova for the first top-five win of her career.