Pliskova and Kerber breeze into final

Karolina Pliskova has a history with Angelique Kerber. They met each other in a final less than two months ago and will do so again at Stanford.

The fourth-seeded Pliskova advanced to her WTA Tour-best fifth final of the year, beating American Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 7-5 on Saturday in the Bank of the West Classic.

She’s looking for her first career Premier-level tour win — and Kerber, who has three titles this year, is standing in her way again.

“She’s tough to play because she is everywhere and is hitting fast,” the 11th-ranked Pliskova said. “She’s a lefty, which also makes it tough. I’ve beaten her a few times and she’s beaten me a few times.