Pliskova fires Wimbledon warning with Eastbourne triumph

Tennis - WTA Premier - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2019 Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Germany's Angelique Kerber Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reuters) - Karolina Pliskova warmed up for Wimbledon in the best possible fashion on Saturday by powering past Angelique Kerber 6-1 6-4 to win the Eastbourne title.

The Czech second seed claimed her second career title at Eastbourne without dropping a set all week, and reigning Wimbledon champion Kerber had no answer to her opponent's powerful serve and precise forehand.

Pliskova, who sent down 33 winners and seven aces en route to winning her third title of the year, said she was pleased at the level she had reached ahead of Wimbledon.

Tennis - WTA Premier - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2019 Germany's Angelique Kerber celebrates during the final against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"All week I was playing quite perfect tennis and didn't drop a set," Pliskova said. "Angelique for sure is one of the best grass court players. It's my third final and in two of them I have won. I just enjoy myself here."

It was a third consecutive defeat in an Eastbourne final for Kerber, who nonetheless heads into Wimbledon after a solid grass court campaign.

The German will face compatriot Tatjana Maria in her first match at Wimbledon on Tuesday, while Pliskova takes on China's Zhu Lin on Monday.

Tennis - WTA Premier - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2019 Germany's Angelique Kerber in action during the final against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Tennis - WTA Premier - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2019 Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova in action during the final against Germany's Angelique Kerber Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Tennis - WTA Premier - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2019 Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova in action during the final against Germany's Angelique Kerber Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge