Kristyna edges Karolina to win Pliskova twin battle in Birmingham

In the WTA's first main draw meeting between twins, Kristyna Pliskova prevailed over Karolina Pliskova, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), in the Birmingham second round on Wednesday.

Usually players are jubilant after a tough win like that, especially if it's an upset victory; but for Kristyna, it was a bittersweet one as she knocked her twin out of the tournament, giving her third-seeded sister a subdued embrace at the net.

"So many people were talking about it already yesterday, and I was like, 'Come on, I still have one more match to go,” Kristyna told press on Tuesday. "It's very strange to play her. It's family, so you don't want her...but still, I want to win as well."

Wednesday's victory marked the first Top 5 win for the 112th-ranked Kristyna. In an ace-laden contest—Kristyna had 24, while Karolina fired eight—the lower-ranked twin got off to a quick start before the right-handed Karolina settled in. After trading sets, both sisters refused to budge, but it was Kristyna who came out victorious in the end.