Day 10 of Australian Open 2019, and the remaining quarter finals. Second match on Rod Laver Arena was:
Serena Williams (16) (USA) v Karolina Pliskova (7) (CZE)
Williams served first.
A backhand winner and an ace, and Williams was off and running. 1-0. Pliskova served an ace for game point but a Williams forehand brought it back to deuce. A pair of American errors and Pliskova had levelled at 1-1. Two forced Williams forehand errors and a Pliskova backhand winner created two break points for Williams to face. A forced backhand error and Pliskova broke serve to lead 2-1.
A game full of Williams errors and the lead extended to 3-1.
A Czech winning backhand and two American unforced errors created three break points. Two saved with strong Williams tennis forcing Pliskova into mistakes. Two Williams forehands brought her to game point, but Pliskova pulled it back to deuce. A second break point was saved and ultimately Williams held for 2-3.
An easy hold for Pliskova and she led 4-2, still troubling the Williams forehand.
Both players held serve with ease in the following games, and Pliskova had the chance to serve for the set at 5-4.
A Czech backhand winner and 30-15. A forced Williams forehand error and two set points. An ace clinched it 6-4.
Williams was taken to deuce in the opening game of set two, but had a couple of unused backhands in storage, which she dragged out for winning purposes, and they performed their duties well. 1-0.
Pliskova also held serve, her reliance once again on the inconsistent Williams forehand. 1-1.
A love game from America and Williams ahead 2-1. Pliskova’s backhand put her ahead 40-0. Williams trimmed it back to 40-30, but yet another forced forehand error presented the game to Pliskova. 2-2.
Williams wasted a game point, then saved a break point by delivering a pair of forehand winners. The resultant game point vanished, and an unforced error on the next break point put Pliskova in the lead 3-2.
Williams broke back to love, her forehand now looking good with two winners to show. 3-3.
An ace and a forehand were highlights of a service hold, breaking that short interlude of drama. 4-3 Williams.
At 4-5, Pliskova had 40-15. Williams dismissed the two game points with backhand winners, then Pliskova had three more game points, all destroyed by Williams winning tennis.
The first chance to break came with a forced forehand error from Pliskova. Williams converted the set point by forcing Pliskova into error again, to level the match at 4-6 6-4.
Down 0-30 in the opening game of set three after a Pliskova backhand winner, Williams hit three winners and an ace to power home and hold serve 1-0.
Pliskova held to love, including an ace and winning forehand. 1-1.
Williams held without facing a break point, but then had Pliskova down three break points after she hit a backhand winner and Pliskova donated a pair of errors. A forehand winner from Williams on the first of the break chances, and the seven times champion led 3-1.
4-1 after a three ace game.
A disheartened Pliskova trailed 0-30, but she fought back to 30-30 employing the assistance of a backhand winner. To no avail though, as Williams was given another break opportunity thanks to a Czech unforced error. Williams used it wisely with a forehand winner and went to the line serving for the match at 5-1.
The first match point came and went with a Williams forced forehand error. A double fault and break point. Another Williams unforced error and one of the breaks had been retrieved. 2-5.
At 30-30, Pliskova served an ace and proceeded to hold serve for 3-5.
Williams again attempted to serve it out.
Williams broken to love, a Pliskova winner, a Williams double fault and errors. 4-5 Pliskova.
Pliskova serving. A Williams forehand winner and 15-30. Two match points after a Pliskova error. Both saved, and one orher. A backhand winner and Pliskova held for 5-5.
A love game to break Williams and lead 6-5. A Williams double fault and Pliskova forehand winner included.
Pliskova serving for the match.
Three match points after a Czech forehand winner. Two saved including one via a Williams backhand winner. The third received an unforced Williams error and the extraordinary contest was complete.
Karolina Pliskova had mounted the greatest comeback ever seen against Serena Williams, and one of the top handful of comebacks in all of tennis.
Down 1-5, and facing the best serve in women’s tennis, Karolina saved a match point, and proceeded to win the last six games of the match, saving three further match points along the way.
The victory, 6-4 4-6 7-5, shot Karolina into a semi final against Naomi Osaka and kept my pre Aus Open prediction of a Kvitová / Pliskova final well and truly alive.
No comments:
Post a Comment