Madrid Open: Simona Halep's run ended by Karolina Pliskova

Karolina Pliskova, who won the Stuttgart title last week, is the highest-ranked player left in the draw

World number one Simona Halep lost her first match at the Madrid Open in three years as sixth seed Karolina Pliskova continued her fine form.

Romania's Halep, who won the 2016 and 2017 titles, suffered her first defeat in 15 matches in the Spanish capital.

Pliskova produced a stellar performance to win 6-4 6-3, extending her winning run on clay to nine matches.

The Czech will face two-time Wimbledon champion and compatriot Petra Kvitova in the semi-final.

Kvitova eased past Russia's Daria Kasatkina in the last eight, winning 6-4 6-0.

French seventh seed Caroline Garcia also reached the last four with a 6-2 6-3 win over Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.

But five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova missed out on what would have been only her second semi-final this year as the Netherlands' Kiki Bertens came from behind to win their quarter-final 4-6 6-2 6-3.

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