Wednesday, 24 January 2018

Halep mauls Pliskova serve - in last 4

Simona Halep (1) had her biggest challenge yet in this years Aus Open on Day Ten against Karolina Pliskova (6).

The big serving Czech player would be tested by the excellent return of serve abilities of Halep.

Pliskova strolled through a couple of deuces without hurting herself and held the first service game of the match.

She then broke Halep for the loss of a single point.

A service winner and winning backhand assisted Pliskova to 3-0 and she looked to be on song.

She was out of tune very quickly though as she failed to win another game for the set.

Halep saved a break point, and visited deuce four times just to tease Pliskova, before holding for 1-3.

The lethal forehand of the top seed drove her to break Pliskova and then hold to love. 3-3.

Two backhand winners sealed another break, and three more winners were the backbone of the service hold for 5-3.

Three set points on the Pliskova serve - one saved but a double fault on the second donated the set to Halep 6-3.

The rot continued for Pliskova in set two as she was broken in game two.

Halep had held serve in the first game, albeit needing to negotiate two break points.

The top seed led 3-0 with a break before Pliskova registered a sound.

Her service hold in game four needed a break point save and she won the game with a backhand.

The next two games went to serve, Halep easily and Pliskova not so, the Czech star saving three break points before two aces saved the day.

4-2 Halep.

Halep held serve for 5-2.

Serving to stay in the match, Pliskova tossed up a double fault and two errors. Halep was into the semi final, winning 6-3 6-2.

Simona will play Angie Kerber to confirm one of the finalists.

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