Intro:

Sixth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova beat rising French star Kristina Mladenovic 6-2, 7-6 (6) on Saturday (20 June) to reach the final of the Birmingham Classic.

While, Angelique Kerber advanced to the final of the Aegon Classic Birmingham on Saturday (20th June) by beating fellow German and 2011 champion Sabine Lisicki in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Script:

The semi-finals of the Aegon Classic Birmingham took place on Saturday.

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Kristina Mladenovic of France, were first on court - and rain caused some interruptions to their encounter.

Notably, Mladenovic had won their only previous match last year in Russia.

But Pliskova raced into a double break lead in the first.

She wrapped the set up with little fuss 6-2.

Mladenovic responded in the second set and found her composure to stay in touch with Pliskova.

The second set went the distance.

But having saved three set points in a tie-break, Pliskova edged it 8-6 for a 6-2, 7-6 win to reach her fourth WTA final of 2015 and her first ever on grass.

The World No 12 would face either of the German opponents Angelique Kerber or Sabine Lisicki.

Kerber had never lost to her compatriot and she would break Lisicki to lead 3-2 early on.

Another break came midway through the second following an unforced error from Lisicki.

And victory followed soon after as Kerber totally dominated her fellow German. 6-3, 6-3.

Pliskova and Kerber have met four times before, both with two wins apiece.