Australian Open 2019: Karolina Pliskova carves out a miraculous win over the Great Serena Williams
The uncertainty of sport, often makes it enthralling. But more often than not, it can subdue fans and athletes in disbelief as well. In a dramatic turn of events in Melbourne, the seventh seed, Karolina Pliskova clawed back from 1-5 down to topple seven-time Australian Open champion, Serena Williams in the most scintillating victories of her career.
While the Rod Laver Arena stood host to a crowd that was toasted to a miracle win by the Czech, the Great Serena walked away silently with moist eyes and a heavy heart. Agreed, losses are a part of the journey of the athletes, but this agonizingly close loss in which she squandered four match points, will take time to sink in for the American legend.
It was not all roses as the match began for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Her opponent Pliskova, winner of the title in Brisbane earlier this month, was clutch in the first set with just Five unforced errors as against eleven from Serena. With 81% win on the first serve, the Czech went on to bag the first set 6-4.
Making up for the errors in the previous, Serena gathered herself in the second with finesse. Breaking Pliskova’s serve twice and registering 73% win on the first serve, the American although could not keep her unforced errors in check, went on to take the second set and forced a decider.
The miraculous turnaround began in the third with a foot fault call on Serena’s first match point at 5-1. When everyone thought the match was almost over with Serena’s ace, the linesman made a call and the American went on to roll her ankle from where she could barely come back.
Williams was serving for the match again at 5-3 and got broken again. By then Serena knew that she had let the Czech claw back. Pliskova wasted no time to make the most of the opportunity and miraculously saved three match points, winning the next six games to emerge victorious with a 6-4 4-6 7-5 in two hours and 10 minutes.
Storming into her first Australian Open semi-final, Pliskova was in disbelief herself. After losing to Simona Halep in the quarter-final last year, the former World no 1 finally broke the jinx to go a step further at Melbourne Park. “On the other hand, I was almost into the locker room. Now I am standing here. It is a good feeling. My mind was in the locker room, she was really playing well.” said an ecstatic Pliskova in her post-match interview.
Williams, who lost out on equaling Margaret Court’s Major singles titles record of 24 was generous in applauding Pliskova’s composure and her stepping up on the big points. “I literally did everything I could on those big points. I cannot say I choked on those match points. She indeed played her best shots” said Serena. “My ankle seems to be fine. I usually do not know until the next day. I did not call the trainer as I did not feel the need.” Serena said when asked about her ankle.
Williams, 37 who gave birth to Olympia and hence missed out on the last edition of the Australian Open seemed to be at the top of her game in this tournament. But the fearless and hard-hitting Pliskova deserves credit as she outplayed one of the most dangerous servers in tennis in what was a supreme test of mental fortitude on those points that mattered the most.
As for the American, this stands as the earliest exit from Melbourne Park since 2014 in the fourth round loss. From thereon, Serena has lifted the titles in 2015 and 2017 and went on to finish as a Finalist in 2016.
The World no 8, Pliskova who is now on a 10-match winning streak will meet U.S. Open champion, 4th seed Naomi Osaka for a ticket into the Final. The 21-year-old Osaka is the first Japanese player to make it to the semi-final of the Australian Open since Kimiko Date in 1994. She sent packing last year’s WTA Finals winner Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-1 in the quarters to move into the semis and inch closer to a second consecutive shot at a Major again.
Naomi, who was all composed in her victory against Serena last year at Flushing Meadows when she lifted her Maiden Grand Slam title is not just fully satisfied with reaching the semi-final in Melbourne. "I am not really satisfied. I am happy that I am here but at the same time, I want to keep going. There are more matches to win." the Japanese said after she secured her berth into the last four.
The young Japanese is also the only one after Kim Clijsters in 2006 to reach the semi-final of a Major after winning her first ever Major at the previous Grand Slam.
The 26-year-old Karolina Pliskova has a massive game and herself looks gunning for her maiden Grand Slam title this year. The Czech has registered her best Grand Slam result by making the Final of the 2016 U.S.Open where she eventually lost to Angelique Kerber in three sets. It will remain to see if Karolina goes a step ahead and lift the Major title in Melbourne after this sizzling win over the Great Serena today.
The World no 8, Pliskova leads the head-to-head 2-1 against Osaka. Winning in Tokyo and Indian Wells, the Czech will be riding her brilliant form further into the tournament.
Nonetheless, Serena's shock defeat and Roger Federer failing to defend his title are all testimonies that sport is cruel, it can vanquish the best in business to make way for newer faces to soak into glory.