PRAGUE (AP) Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic overcame a slow start, cold and rain to defeat Annika Beck of Germany in the first round of the Prague Open on Tuesday.
The 14th-ranked Pliskova came back to defeat her 80th-ranked opponent 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 for her fourth victory over the German in five meetings. The match was held up by more than three hours because of rain and was later suspended due to rain with Beck leading 2-1 in the final set.
In the second round, Pliskova will face Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, who beat Belarusian qualifier Olga Govortsova 7-5, 6-1.
Third-seeded Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic reached the second round by beating Madison Brengle of the United States 7-6 (5), 6-3.
Qualifier Ana Konjuh of Croatia upset seventh-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 7-5, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3). She will next face wild-card entry Klara Koukalova of the Czech Republic, who defeated Julia Goerges of Germany, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
In the last match of the day, qualifier Danka Kovinic of Montenegro beat Monica Niculescu of Romania 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 and will play next Shuai Zhang of China.