Transylvania Open: Harriet Dart misses out on WTA final with Pliskova defeat

Harriet Dart missed out on her first WTA Tour final as she lost in straight sets to former world number one Karolina Pliskova at the Transylvania Open.

The British number three was beaten 6-3 6-3 by the Czech, who reached her first WTA final in three-and-a-half years.

Dart, who came through qualifying, beat Spain's Nuria Parrizas-Diaz to reach her first semi-final on the WTA Tour.

But Pliskova put an end to her impressive run in Cluj, Romania.

A double break allowed the Czech to take a firm grip on the first set and prevail 6-3.

She went 4-0 up in the second set but allowed Dart to claw her way back into it, before eventually defeating the 27-year-old Briton.

Pliskova will meet Romanian Ana Bogdan in Sunday's final in front of a home crowd.

After reaching her 17th WTA Tour final, she said: "I know how you guys can be tough if I play against Romanian girls so let us see but no matter what I'll accept you'll cheer for Anna.

"I just want to play good tennis. There is always a chance with my game to win and I've reached finals already so there is no pressure.

"I want to win the title, because I haven't won a title for a couple of years already but also I haven't played a final for a while so I will enjoy it."

Elsewhere, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina beat Liudmila Samsonova for the first time in five attempts to reach the Abu Dhabi final. She will face Daria Kasatkina on Sunday.