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Pliskova slays Serena to set up Osaka semi-final
MELBOURNE, Jan 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Serena Williams’s bid to equal
Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam titles was brought to a shuddering halt
in sensational style Wednesday by Karolina Pliskova, who will face Naomi
Osaka in the Australian Open semi-finals.
The American great had beaten world number one Simona Halep in the fourth
round but folded against the big-serving Czech seventh seed, who saved four
match points before winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 under the hot Melbourne sun.
It was a gut-wrenching defeat for the 37-year-old, who battled back from a
set down and was leading 5-1 in the third and serving for the match, only to
throw it away with some poor serving and wild shots as frustrations bubbled
to the surface.
Since returning last year from giving birth, Williams has made four
unsuccessful attempts to match Court’s record, and the wait continues with
the French Open in May her next chance.
“She was playing very well. Especially at the end of the second set she
went for her shots and she was aggressive,” said Pliskova after depriving
Williams of a US Open final rematch with Osaka.
“I played too passive. I was almost in the locker-room but now I am
standing here as a winner. It is a very good feeling.”
For Pliskova, it is only her third semi-final at a major.
She made the last four at Roland Garros in 2017 and the US Open a year
earlier, where she beat Williams before losing the final to Angelique Kerber.
A focused Osaka brutally swept past Ukraine’s Svitolina, who was troubled
by neck and shoulder problems, in her attempt to win back-to-back Grand
Slams.
The Ukrainian needed a similar medical timeout during her third round
match, but it was nevertheless a serious statement from the steely-eyed
Osaka, who was playing the sort of tennis which drove her to the US Open
title.
“I tried to be consistent, it’s unfortunate that she got injured but
playing against her even when she was injured was still really tough,” said
the usually bubbly 21-year-old, who was completely focused on court.
“I just had one goal, to try as hard I can and not get angry. I didn’t do
that really well in the last two rounds and I did that today so I’m really
happy with the way I played.”
The win ensured she became the first Japanese woman in the final four at
Melbourne Park since Kimiko Date in 1994.
– Only positives –
Svitolina, who has failed to go further than the quarter-finals now four
times at Grand Slams, said she had been feeling her injury throughout the
tournament, but didn’t want to use it as an excuse.
“Unfortunately I couldn’t produce 100 percent the game that I wanted. But
in the end, she was just playing better today,” she said.
Svitolina, who said her goal was to reach number one and win a Slam this
year, added: “I don’t want to get down on myself. It’s only positives from
here.”
Unseeded American Danielle Collins or two-time Wimbledon champion Petra
Kvitova play the other semi-final.
Novak Djokovic resumes his quest for a record seventh Australian Open title
later against Japanese marathon man Kei Nishikori.
The Serbian world number one admitted he “didn’t feel so great” after
surviving a stiff four-set test in the last 16, and knows he has his work cut
out against the Japanese star who has battled through three hard five-setters
so far.
“He’s a very talented player. One of the quickest players on the tour. You
know, hard worker. I have lots of respect for him,” said the Serbian world
number one.
The winner will play big-serving Canadian 16th seed Milos Raonic or
France’s 28th seed Lucas Pouille, who is now coached by former Australian
Open champion Amelie Mauresmo.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal have already secured their berths in
the last four.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1055 hrs