The third set started with both players still playing their best. And when they engaged in lengthy baseline exchanges, Pliskova’s deep, flat groundstrokes were able to produce the rare sight of Williams back on her heels. However, the 26-year-old is extremely familiar with and comfortable on the Open courts, having reached the finals in 2009 and 2014, losing to Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams, respectively.
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Serena Williams will move through to her ninth final at Flushing Meadows in a bid for a seventh crown at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It saw the Romanian fend off all 12 break points she faced.
Instead, Williams and her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, pointed to the left leg that she repeatedly clutched.
“I’m still trying to get over this match”, Serena said.
Once again, Williams struggled to get on her first serve but still managed to hold the opening game. Even if she was down a set and a break she was still fighting, so it was very hard. But Wozniacki won earlier that year as well, so this one could go either way. Halep saved a fifth break point after an wonderful rally that she ended up winning with a smash. Then came Williams, never one to back down, going ahead 5-4, two points from forcing a third set. “She didn’t win the tournament”.
But it was the more experienced 24-year-old and tenth-seeded Czech, Pliskova, who handled the occasion better. The 3rd set was nothing more than a statement from the American.
Williams knew she had been in a dogfight and tried not to let frustration set in when she couldn’t convert the breaks. She made 31 unforced errors in all.
Williams clung on, however, winning three straight games to build a lead she would not relinquish. Halep allowed that she blew two opportunities to break Williams in the third set’s first game. She also controlled Halep on the returns, finishing with three breakers in seven break point opportunities.
Serving at 5-4 for the second set, Halep and Williams warred in a classic 22-point slugfest.
“It was tough to stay calm”, said Nishikori.
Williams will face Karolina Pliskova in the last four.
Should the German second seed line up as her opponent on Saturday, Williams will have to win the title. Halep was on her heels.
Kerber does not make too many mistakes herself, averaging just 14 over her five matches at Flushing Meadows. The top seed went up 2-1 after a solid hold of serve. When Williams sent a backhand long, she trailed 2-1. Still a break down, but Halep didn’t give her serve a second time to keep the gap close. “And her first serve”. But he wouldn’t take another game in a thrill-a-minute contest that lasted almost 4 hours. “She wants to be the greatest at everything that she does”.
“I don’t believe it”, Pliskova said on court afterwards.
Karolina Pliskova reaches her first ever Grand Slam appearance with a win over 18-year old Ana Konjuh.
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Pliskova, the WTA tour ace leader, threw down to end the match, thumping an ace at 40-love.
