Karolina Pliskova beats Serena Williams 6-2, 7-6
Wow, what an upset. Williams clearly looked tired and one will wonder if the lack of rest was a major factor as she clearly lacked the footwork. But take nothing away from Karolina Pliskova, she took full advantage of the opportunity and was so aggressive. Her first serve winners outworked Williams and her movement and timing was much better. Fantastic stuff by the 24-year-old from the Czech Republic. Here’s a look at Bryan Graham’s full match report from Flushing Meadows.
That’s it from me. Thank you so much for the comments, have a great evening.
Updated
Karolina Pliskova wins second set and beats Serena Williams!
Second set: Williams 2-6, 6-7 (7-5) Pliskova (*denotes next server)
We’re at tiebreak. Pliskova wins the first with an unforced error and another with 111mph serve. Williams is way off here and goes down 3-0 as she overhits. She seems to be struggling with her leg. Now, as Williams serves again she gets on the board as Pliskova hits the return on the net. On William’s second serve, Pliskova over hits and it’s 3-2 to the Czech. She faults but there is going to be a challenge...it is indeed out and it’s 3-3. Pliskova serves and as Williams returns, the Czech smashes it but Williams returns the shot!!! It’s too much for Pliskova and Williams takes the lead at 4-3. Wow. But then Williams DOUBLE FAULTS and it’s tied up at 4-4. An amazing rally ends with an even better two-handed backhand by Williams and it’s 5-4. We’re at 5-5 after an unforced error by Williams and after a fantastic save from a power forehand, Pliskova takes it and it’s match point. Williams....loses on a double fault. Wow.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 6-6 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Williams means business here as she returns on the second serve with a great backhand but then gives it right back as she makes an error. Pliskova takes the lead with a powerful first serve winner but a long forehand makes it 30-30. Will the tide turn here? Williams just misses with a serve return and on 40-30 Pliskova closes the game with her seventh ace.
Thank you, Emanuel Peni!
From Papua New Guinea. Reading tennis update on my mobile phone and your live update on the desk top. Your updates are keeping the intensity. I can feel it by reading it.
Second set: Williams 2-6, 6-5 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams takes the lead after Pliskova commits an unforced error on a serve return, and quickly goes to 30-0 after Pliskova keeps chasing power shots and just can’t reach them well enough. Pliskova wins the next one with a forehand winner but a beautiful drop shot, which is returned, is not enough as Williams capitalizes on the second attempt. Williams wins with another first serve winner.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 5-5 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Pliskova takes a 30-0 lead after a strong serve and a Williams error. The 24-year-old make a mistake of her own with a long forehand and Williams is on the board but a sloppy backhand hits the net and Pliskova has double game point. A great drop shot means it 5-5.
Rose Maitland sends us an email:
Watching the score from St Ann, Jamaica.
So tense.
Can Serena pull a Serena and win this set?
Second set: Williams 2-6, 5-4 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
This is the most important game for Serena, right here. She starts well as she comes to net, causes Pliskova to panic and it goes out. 15-0. Another backhand miss by the Czech and it’s 30-0, Williams aces and she has triple game point. Williams wins the game as she makes Pliskova run all over the court and hit a soft return. Williams takes over and smashes it.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 4-4 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Can Williams break here? Pliskova starts well as her one-two punch with a serve and forehand winner takes it to 15-0. Williams is making her move, though, as she hits a wide forehand, unreachable to Pliskova. 15-15. Williams gifts a point to the server with an unforced error and then another one...we’re at 40-15. Pliskova double faults again (six total) but a great forehand smash is too much for Williams. She takes the game.
Second set: Williams 2-6, 4-3 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams double faults and she really is not using those legs on the serve and guess what...another double fault. A strong first serve winner puts her on the board and after a backhand unforced error we’re tied up at 30-30. Williams has game point with an ace (her fourth of the game) but just as you thought she would take the game with a simple volley, she loses focus and hits it on the net. Deuce. Pliskova saves two incredible smash volleys! She wins it with a great forehand and it’s advantage Pliskova. It goes back to 40-40, however as she overhits a forehand. So far, this is the longest game of the match...another long shot by Pliskova but she’s going to challenge...it is JUST out! Williams has advantage. Pliskova gambles and attacks the second serve but it goes long. Williams roars to pump herself up and the crowd go wild.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 3-3 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Pliskova is moving so well out there but Williams comes back on the first point with a cross-court backhand. The Czech double faults AGAIN and Williams really needs to take advantage of this 0-30 lead. Another error and it’s triple break point. One more long shot means Williams breaks for the first time in the match.
Second set: Williams 2-6, 2-3 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams starts with an ace, but then commits a forehand unforced error. 15-15. Pliskova makes an error herself on the return but Williams is really slow to react on a simple forehand and it’s 30-30. Pliskova gets a break point after another mistake and Pliskova wins it after a magnificent return from a powerful forehand. Williams can’t connect and Pliskova breaks.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 2-2 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Williams is slowly showing signs of her usual rhythm but needs to find a way to break the powerful 24-year-old. Williams starts well and connects with her second serve return. 0-15. Her forehand, though, is letting her down and it’s all tied up. Pliskova double faults, but as Williams comes to the net and Pliskova returns, Williams messes up the volley. 30-30. A great one-two punch with the first serve and volley gives Pliskova game point but once again, she double faults. 40-40. You can sense some nerves kicking in for Pliskova...but gets lucky on an unforced error by Williams. She follows up with an ace, and it’s game.
Second set: Williams 2-6, 2-1 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
The umpire calls a let and Williams is not happy but then retaliates with a first serve winner. A mishit by Pliskova on the return makes it 30-0 and as Pliskova makes another error it’s quickly 40-0. Williams wants to hit a quick backhand, but again, her feet let her down and it’s 40-15. Williams holds serve and needs this break.
Second set: Williams* 2-6, 1-1 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Williams remains flat-footed, which causes her to go long again and just like that it’s 30-0. Pliskova’s serve is amazing and there really is not much you can do when she’s on. On the next point, though, she makes a mistake and it’s 30-15 but a fault by Williams makes it 40-15. Williams capitalizes on a soft second serve and wins with a forehand winner and after a good rally, Williams tries to slice it up...but fails. Pliskova wins the game.
Second set: Williams 2-6, 1-0 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams has now changed her strategy a little bit and is now going to the net. Wins first point with a volley, 15-0 but then makes an error and it’s tied up. An amazing forehand serve return makes it 15-30 and the best rally of the match, where Williams smashes a backhand is too much for Pliskova and can’t handle the follow-up. 30-30. Williams makes an error and it’s break point, but Pliskova returns the favor...we’re at deuce. Williams aces and screams....the shouts get louder after she wins the game with a forehand smash.
Pliskova wins first set!
First set: Williams* 2-6 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Williams did mention that not taking a day to rest wasn’t an issue but I really don’t believe her. She looks tired and sluggish, at least by her high standards. The much younger Pliskova is taking full advantage as she serves for the set. She begins with a great forehand winner after a weak return, 15-0. Williams goes long and it’s 30-0, but a quick serve return startles Pliskova and Williams is on the board. A lucky backhand, skimming the net, makes it two set points and she wins the first set in 27 minutes after Williams commits another unforced error.
First set: Williams 2-5 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams double faults, that was very much unlike her. A couple of unforced errors means she is down 0-40 and the mental aspect of her game is really not there. One more mistake and Pliskova breaks again.
First set: Williams* 2-4 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
This is a big game for Serena as she looks to tie the set and break for the first time. Pliskova, however, starts with an ace and it’s 15-0. A ridiculous backhand winner leaves Williams flat-footed and it’s 30-0. Did last night take too much from her? An unforced error puts Williams on the board and Pliskova’s first double fault of the match ties it up. A powerful first serve winner gives her game point but then ANOTHER double fault makes it deuce. Williams gets impatient on the serve return and goes long with her backhand and Pliskova takes it with a serve winner.
First set: Williams 2-3 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams seems to be out of sorts as she hits another unforced error and her first serve just doesn’t want to go in...or the second. She double faults. 0-30. A strong forehand winner puts her on the board and a fantastic backhand ties it up. We’re at 30-30. Pliskova’s energy is apparent as she wins the next one and once again, she can break here. Williams ties it up with an unforced error and a forehand winner gives her advantage. Williams wins it with an ace and pumps herself up after that one.
First set: Williams* 1-3 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Williams knows that she needs to equal Pliskova and break her serve, otherwise the 24-year-old could run away with this set. A powerful first serve makes it 15-0 and two aces give her a 40-0 lead. Pliskova gets impatient and goes long on a forehand and we’re at 40-15 and Williams hits a beautiful two-handed backhand: 40-30. Pliskova, however, wins the game with an unforced error.
First set: Williams 1-2 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
As expected this is going to be all about serve domination as Williams quickly jumps to 30-0. Pliskova hits it hard and flat and Williams challenges but the ball was on the line, 30-15. A fantastic second serve return ties it up and as Williams commits an unforced error Pliskova has break point. A long forehand means Pliskova wins the game.
First set: Williams* 1-1 Pliskova (*denotes next server)
Pliskova forces Williams to commit a long unforced error but she returns the favor with one of her own. 15-15. Pliskova wins the next one with a service winner and her placement - which is so good - helps her get to 40-15. An unforced error by Pliskova rewards Williams with a point and another one wins the game.
First set: Williams 1-0 Pliskova* (*denotes next server)
Williams begins with an ace, and an unforced error by Pliskova makes it 30-0. Williams looks composed and ready on that forehand as she makes it 40-0 and with another error it’s game.
Let’s play some tennis! Williams will serve first.
Both players are now entering the court. Huge cheers for Serena Williams, who looks composed and focused. They’ll warm up and not long now until the main event begins.
ESPN showing a short film called The Dream I live, narrated by Alec Baldwin, dedicated to the women’s tournament. I must admit, I’ve been generally impressed with the coverage this summer, even with John McEnroe, who often commentates the same way he played...by nitpicking the unnecessary.
Updated
Ace is the name of the game. Serena Williams hit 18 last night, and 60 total throughout the tournament. Pliskova, meanwhile, lost just one point on her serve in the first set against Konjuh and never faced a break point.
Weather report
It’s a humid 83F (28C) with a little wind, though that won’t matter much inside Arthur Ashe stadium.
Updated
Preamble
Hello everyone and welcome to the first US Open women’s semifinal match between Serena Williams and Karolina Pliskova. This is a quick turnaround for both players, as they face each other a without a day’s rest, so the physical aspect of their game will surely be tested. Williams, however, has mentioned she is not bothered by the lack of a break as she is used to day-to-day playing in most non-major tournaments. We will see if the 34-year-old’s stamina will not be affected, especially as her opponent is ten years her senior. Pliskova is on a roll, and has finally been able to show how dangerous she can be in a major. On her way to the last four, the 24-year-old from the Czech Republic has only dropped a set, the first against Serena’s older sister, Venus, in the fourth round. She is on a ten-match winning streak including victories against Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza at the Cincinnati Open.
But now comes her biggest test, against the mighty Williams, who is on course on tying with Chris Evert for seven US Open titles - the most ever. She can also pass Steffi Graf and win her 23rd Grand Slam title, trailing only the great Margaret Court, who has 24. Williams defeated Simona Halep last night to get here, but it wasn’t easy as the world No 1 dropped a set for the first time in the tournament. Halep made Serena work hard for that win and there’s no doubt that Pliskova will be looking to do more of the same. Pliskova, standing at 6-foot-one, leads the WTA tour in aces so it will be interesting to see who breaks first.
The last and only time they have faced each other was two years ago in Stanford, Williams won 7-5, 6-2.
