Halep encouraged despite Serena defeat

Pliskova was unable to take advantage though as Williams earned her first break points before taking advantage to restore parity.

For the second year in a row, Serena Williams’ bid to make history ended with a shocking loss in the U.S. Open semifinals.

Australian Open champion Kerber, who leads the WTA for most main draw match wins this season at 53-14, clinched victory with a backhand that actually landed just beyond the baseline but went unchallenged by former number one Wozniacki of Denmark.

Halep and Williams then splits the next to games to give Halep her first chance for set point, 5-3.

Pliskova is ready for tonight’s match as well, although she does not deny the No. 1 seed’s strength.

For another two days, at least, Williams’ quest for an Open era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, a record seventh US Open title and a new mark for consecutive weeks (187) at No. 1 remains alive.

Williams, 34, double-faulted on match point to lose 6-2 7-6 (7-5), and Pliskova will face German second seed Angelique Kerber in the final.

If Kerber can get past Wozniacki to her third Grand Slam final of the year Williams will have to beat her in the title match to stay atop the summit.

It was the first true test of the Grand Slam for Williams, who came into the tournament battling a lingering shoulder injury. “She kept going for her shots – she stepped it up”. She followed that up with a run to the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Williams.

Watching Williams miss shot after shot – 31 unforced errors in all – one couldn’t help but wonder why.

Perhaps Wednesday’s exertions – she played a grueling encounter against Simona Halep – took a toll on Williams. “She couldn’t play”, he said. “There was no match”.

Pliskova had picked up a code violation for receiving coaching and Williams was now grasping her left knee but chief among the American’s concerns was her opponent, who raced into a 3-0 lead. Pliskova’s power is of the sort that Williams so rarely is forced to confront – much like the difficulties the American’s own game presents others.

“I haven’t played against many big servers recently but she places her serve really well”. She also returns well, often sending stinging responses right at Williams’ feet, leaving her no time to react properly.

Despite her dearth of Grand Slam success, Pliskova is playing with confidence after winning her biggest title to date on the hard courts of Cincinnati. Serena Williams gets the only break point of the third set, as she converts her lone break point opportunity over Halep. No. 10 Karolina Pliskova No. 2 Angelique Kerber vs.

Pliskova pocketed the set in 26 minutes without facing a break point.

Murray, the No. 2 seed and 2012 champion at Flushing Meadows, disagreed with chair umpire Marija Cicak’s decision to immediately halt things when play was interrupted by a sound similar to that of a gong being struck. Pliskova, who betrayed little emotion otherwise on this evening, leaned over and pumped her fists. I played well. I could play better in those moments when I had chances. Pliskova sat in her changeover seat, leaned back and exhaled. “To be here in the final for the first time means a lot and to be number one in the world – it sounds unbelievable”.