Serena Loses to Pliskova After Having Match Points in the Third Set

Serena Williams suffered a third set collapse against Karolina Pliskova. Pliskova won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 .

After leading 5-1 in the final set, Wlliams’ game unraveled. She had four match points but couldn’t convert. Williams , it appeared, rolled her ankle, which affected her movement after she had landed awkwardly in a foot-fault on the first of four match points . Pliskova picked up her game from that point and William could not find hers.

“I did everything I could on those match points,” Williams said. “I can’t say that I choked. [Pliskova] literally played her best tennis ever on those shots. I’ve never seen anything like it. Next time I’m up 5-1 against anybody, I need to make sure I play lights out. It’s a good learning experience.”

“I just felt a chance,” Pliskova said of that moment. “For sure it was in her head. I saw a chance and I just took it.”

Pliskova next plays US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who easily beat Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-1. In the other semifinal, American Danielle Collins plays Petra Kvitova.

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Andy’s Reads – New Hall of Famers and Emotional Post-Match Pressers

Li Na, Mary Pierce, Yevgeny Kafelnikov head to Tennis Hall of Fame. (Yahoo Sports)

Smashing racqets – Everyone does that, from lower ranked players to top ranked players. (Washington Post)

There are not a lot of young Spanish players. That worries Rafael Nadal. (Tennis World)

Post-match press conferences – World gets to see raw emotion. (The Roar)

No one expected Danielle Collins in the semifinals of the Australian Open except Collins. (ESPN)

Continue ReadingAndy’s Reads – New Hall of Famers and Emotional Post-Match Pressers