New Delhi:
Serena Williams had looked good for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title after she had dumped world number one Simona Halep out of the tournament. However, her chances of securing the record ended after she lost 4-6,6-4,5-7 in another tough three-set match to Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinal of the 2019 Australian Open. Serena had a 2-1 head-to-head record against the Czech player but this was her second loss in a Grand Slam tournament. Pliskova’s previous victory had come in the US Open but in the Australian Open, her win has ensured that Serena cannot achieve the record and will have to wait potentially until the French Open to create a slice of history.
After Pliskova clinched the first set 6-4 by breaking Serena's serve, both players exchanged breaks and at 3-3, Pliskova seemed to hold the advantage and at 5-4, Pliskova looked to stay in the game but Serena held her nerve and after four deuces, the American clinched the set to level the game. After Serena raced to a 5-1 lead in the final set, it seemed a mere formality but Pliskova broke the American’s game in the eighth game and in the 10th game, a couple of crucial unforced errors helped Pliskova level the game in style.
Serena let the pressure get to her and after serving up a fourth double fault, Pliskova broke again and sealed the game in style to set up a semi-final clash against Naomi Osaka. Speaking after the end of the match, Pliskova admitted that she was mentally down after trailing 1-5 but she pounced on Serena’s shaky serve to comeback in grand style.
Speaking about the result courtside, Pliskova said, "I think she improved her game in the second set, went for her shots. “I got a little tight, played too passive. But I’m standing here as the winner, so I’m happy. My mind was in the locker room at 5-1 down in the third. I didn’t have many chances. She got a little bit shakey in the end and I took my chances. I’ll be ready for tomorrow. We’ve played a few times. She’s had some great times since the US Open.â€
At 5-1 down in the third set against Serena Williams, @KaPliskova's mind was in the locker room...
Somehow she ended up in the #AusOpen semifinals.
This is how. pic.twitter.com/O8IpYeh27D
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2019
