ZCZC
BSP-21
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN
Pliskova slays Serena as Djokovic cruises into semis
MELBOURNE, Jan 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Serena Williams’s bid for a record-
equalling 24th Grand Slam title was brought to a halt in sensational style at
the Australian Open Wednesday by Karolina Pliskova, but fellow former
champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the semi-finals.
The American great had beaten world number one Simona Halep in the fourth
round but folded against the tall Czech seventh seed, who saved four match
points before winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 under the hot Melbourne sun.
Her reward is a clash against Japan’s Naomi Osaka for a place in the
final, after the Japanese fourth seed brutally swatted aside the injured
Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-1.
World number one Djokovic enjoyed an early night when courageous Kei
Nishikori retired with a thigh strain when losing 6-1, 4-1 after going
through three five-set epics during the tournament.
It kept the Serb’s bid for a record seventh Australian title on track and
he will now meet French 28th seed Lucas Pouille, who beat power-serving
Canadian Milos Raonic 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 to make his first Slam
semi.
It was a gut-wrenching defeat for Williams, 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 wild shots as frustrations bubbled to the surface.
“There’s nothing I did wrong on those match points. I stayed aggressive.
She just literally hit the lines on some of them,” said the dumbfounded 37-
year-old, who rolled an ankle but refused to blame it for the defeat.
Since returning last year from giving birth, Williams has made four
unsuccessful attempts to match Margaret Court’s long-time standing 24 Grand
Slam titles, and the wait continues with the French Open in May her next
chance.
“The big picture for me is always winning,” she added. “I’m not going to
sit here and lie about that. It hasn’t happened yet, but I feel like it’s
going to happen.”
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.
“I was almost in the locker-room but now I am standing here as a winner.
It is a very good feeling,” she said after depriving Williams of a US Open
final rematch with Osaka.
– Calm Osaka –
Asked about facing Osaka next, Pliskova replied: “She’s dangerous but
nobody is more dangerous than Serena.”
A focused Osaka rolled past Ukraine’s Svitolina, who was troubled by neck
and shoulder problems.
Despite the Ukrainian suffering, 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 21-year-old.
“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
since Kimiko Date in 1994.
Djokovic, who is targeting a 15th Grand Slam title, endured his own tough
fourth round showdown with Daniil Medvedev and said he was glad to get off
court early.
“As they say, this is exactly what the doctor ordered for me after the
match two nights ago,” he said. “Not to spend too much time on the court.
“I’ve had plenty of matches so far this year and I am in another semi-
final and I will do everything to get ready for that one.”
Pouille had never won a match in Melbourne before this year but has
recruited 2006 Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo to his team and said
it was paying off.
“I started a new adventure with my team, with Amelie. I enjoy being on
the court again and that is the most important,” he said.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1700 hrs