Pliskova rolls past Konjuh, into US Open semis

Ana Konjuh, of Croatia, raises her arms after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska, of Poland, 6-4, 6-4 at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in NY.

The 10th-seeded Czech cracked successive aces to close a commanding 6-2, 6-2, US Open quarterfinal victory over Ana Konjuh. But for her, the future is now, as she will play tenth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinal of the final Grand Slam of the year.

“I never expected to play that many matches, of course, this year”, he said.

Agnieszka Radwanska hits a backhand during her fourth-round match against Ana Konjuh at the 2016 U.S. Open.

Pliskova said: ‘I think the key was the serve and obviously I made a quick break in the first game which helped me.

Yes, she acknowledged later, she was scared for a moment by the odd sound.

Kerber’s newfound poise was on display in her quarter-final win over 2015 runner-up Roberta Vinci. “My serve was pretty good tonight”, Konjuh said. “I don’t think she had any answers”.

Konjuh, who is 18 and ranked only 92nd, had never been past the third round at a major until this tournament.

A fearless big hitter, Konjuh compiled a 38-9 edge in winners against Radwanska, who is 27.

The 18-year-old, who has made it past the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time, next faces 10th-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova, a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victor over Venus Williams.

Pliskova said: “It’s an awesome feeling”. The retractable roof atop Ashe was shut during the second, longer shower, and the break of about 20 minutes gave Nishikori’s coach, 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, a chance to run through the concourse to get down to the locker room and consult with his player.

The 2012 title victor at Flushing Meadows, Andy Murray, eased into the quarter-finals for the 22nd time in his past 23 majors, beating 22nd seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. She hadn’t been past the third round at a major before this tournament and upset fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska on Monday for her first win over a top-10 opponent. “I just couldn’t do anymore I guess today”.

A loud noise burst through the air in the stadium while Konjuh was serving for the match, but nothing could unsettle her, as Radwanska could not put a return over the net at 40-15, sending Konjuh to the next round. “We would still go on vacations, but the problem is like, you know, Aga is getting married, so then all of a sudden we’re like, We just want a girls trip, but it’s tough when everyone has their own thing”.

“For me, I’m going out on Arthur Ashe, on the stadium, and playing against top player, I have more confidence going out there”, she said. “Good luck to her”. “But just somehow the game on the court wasn’t the way I wanted it to be”.

“It’s an awesome feeling, I am so excited to be in my first semi-final especially in this tournament I very much love NY and hardcourt season”, said Pliskova, who will next face either world number one Serena Williams or Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep.

Pliskova didn’t need to do much running against Konjuh, the lowest-ranked and youngest player in the quarterfinals.