Buyukakcay Sets History By Becoming First Turkish Player To Enter WTA Quarterfinals

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Cagla Buyukakcay who becomes the first Turkish player to be in the quarter finals of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournament will face an uphill task after drawing defending champion Karolina Pliskova in the 2014 BMW Malaysian Open. Buyukakcay said she had played Pliskova in the final of the Qatar Total Open but lost to her. "She is a very tough player and always had a good serve. She is aggressive on court but I will do my best and prepare to meet her tomorrow (Friday). I have lost to her earlier so I will have a talk with my coach about my strategy," she told reporters after her match against Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia, here Thursday. Buyukakcay, currently ranked 150th in the world breezed into the quarter finals after beating Majeric 6-4, 6-4 in the second round while Pliskova cruised past qualifier Duan Ying-Ying of China 6-1, 6-3. Commenting on her match Thursday, she said the hot and humid weather in Malaysia had taken the toll on her, especially so, when her opponent played long rallies. "She played a serve and volley game, pushing everything to the back. This is how she plays. It was a very tough match in this type of conditions but I am happy to have won," said Buyukakcay who was proud to be the best Turkish tennis player and would like to focus on her game to be among the top 100 WTA players within this year. Second seed Zhang Shuai of China will meet Magda Linette after defeating Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. "I did not play well in the second set but I came back and did really well in the third set. The score was like up and down. I think it was a nice start even though I feel the weather was very hot today. Zhang Ling played a good game and served well," she said. Top seed Dominika Cibulkova cruised into the quarter finals and meet sixth seed Zarina Diyas. "I hope I will play better in the quarter finals against Diyas. I have never played her before or never saw her play. I have no idea about her skills. I know it will be difficult for me but I take it as a test," she said. -- BERNAMA