The spirit of New York has done it again.
Last year, Flavia Pennetta, 33 and ranked No 26, flourished in the Land of Opportunity by reaching the final of a major for the first time in 52 attempts and then finishing her tennis career with a grand slam crown. In her 51 previous visits to the grand slams, the Italian had reached the semis once, at the 2013 US Open.
This year, the spirit of New York has possessed Karolina Pliskova.
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic plays a shot to Coco Vandeweghe of the United States, during their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Wednesday July 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Until now, the big-serving Czech, who had climbed to No 7 in the rankings last August, has been a grand slam mystery of sorts, never progressing beyond the third round in 17 main draw appearances despite boasting one of the most fearsome serves on the WTA Tour.
In three previous main draw appearances at Flushing Meadows, Pliskova, 24, had lost twice in the first round and had a 2-3 win-loss record.
Now, she is in Saturday’s final. And, like Roberta Vinci 12 months ago, she has stunned world No 1 Serena Williams (6-2, 7-6) in the semis to get there.
“For me, I think the most important step was to get through to the fourth round,” Pliskova said .
Once she broke that hoodoo, a confident Pliskova fought back from 1-3 down in the second set and saved a match point at 4-5 in the third to defeat Venus Williams (4-6, 6-4, 7-6) in front of a partisan American crowd. That win gave made a huge difference in the semis against Serena.
“Obviously the match with Venus helped me, not only with the game, but also with the crowd,” said Pliskova, who is only the third woman to beat Serena and Venus Williams at the same US Open.
“I knew I was going to play one of the Williams sisters on centre court (in the semis) with all the people against me, and I was prepared for it.”
Having defeated the reigning No 1, Pliskova now looks to beat Angelique Kerber, the woman who will be taking over the No 1 rankings on Monday after Serena’s 186 consecutive weeks at the top.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/us-open-final-serenas-conqueror-pliskova-eyes-history-kerber/
Last year, Flavia Pennetta, 33 and ranked No 26, flourished in the Land of Opportunity by reaching the final of a major for the first time in 52 attempts and then finishing her tennis career with a grand slam crown. In her 51 previous visits to the grand slams, the Italian had reached the semis once, at the 2013 US Open.
This year, the spirit of New York has possessed Karolina Pliskova.
Until now, the big-serving Czech, who had climbed to No 7 in the rankings last August, has been a grand slam mystery of sorts, never progressing beyond the third round in 17 main draw appearances despite boasting one of the most fearsome serves on the WTA Tour.
In three previous main draw appearances at Flushing Meadows, Pliskova, 24, had lost twice in the first round and had a 2-3 win-loss record.
Now, she is in Saturday’s final. And, like Roberta Vinci 12 months ago, she has stunned world No 1 Serena Williams (6-2, 7-6) in the semis to get there.
“For me, I think the most important step was to get through to the fourth round,” Pliskova said .
Once she broke that hoodoo, a confident Pliskova fought back from 1-3 down in the second set and saved a match point at 4-5 in the third to defeat Venus Williams (4-6, 6-4, 7-6) in front of a partisan American crowd. That win gave made a huge difference in the semis against Serena.
“Obviously the match with Venus helped me, not only with the game, but also with the crowd,” said Pliskova, who is only the third woman to beat Serena and Venus Williams at the same US Open.
“I knew I was going to play one of the Williams sisters on centre court (in the semis) with all the people against me, and I was prepared for it.”
Having defeated the reigning No 1, Pliskova now looks to beat Angelique Kerber, the woman who will be taking over the No 1 rankings on Monday after Serena’s 186 consecutive weeks at the top.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/us-open-final-serenas-conqueror-pliskova-eyes-history-kerber/
US Open final: Serena’s conqueror, Pliskova eyes history against Kerber - Sports
Reviewed by Constance
on
September 09, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Constance
on
September 09, 2016
Rating:
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