Serena Williams knocked out of Australian Open in ‘biggest choke’ of career
Serena Williams has produced the worst collapse of her career. LEO SCHLINK breaks down how a combination of injury, fraying nerves and an inspired Karolina Pliskova ended her Australian Open.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Australian Open quarter-final today was all about the worst collapse of the grand slam titan’s career.
Both ended the same way, with Williams in defeat, but in vastly different circumstances.
In New York, Williams’ temper overshadowed Naomi Osaka’s breakthrough triumph.
DAY 10: FOLLOW ALL TODAY’S OPEN ACTION LIVE
At Melbourne Park, a combination of injury, fraying nerves and inspired Karolina Pliskova delivered one of the greatest chokes in tennis history.
From 5-1 ahead in the third set, Williams blew four match points — and the chance to match Margaret Court’s grand slam tally of 24 singles majors.
For a player renowned for unparalleled ruthlessness, Williams stared at glory — and blinked.
The winner of 23 majors twisted her ankle when the match — and another major semi-final beckoned — and then lost 28 of the next 39 points.
Serena Williams (ankle) didn’t win a game after this... Karolina Pliskova is headed to the Semifinals...#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/5zSq0PziBb
— SBR Sports Picks (@SBRSportsPicks) January 23, 2019
It was a choke of extremes.
Williams served for the match at 5-1 and, on her first match point, was called for a foot fault.
She then rolled her left ankle, setting in train an astonishing collapse.
A match point slipped away with a forehand error at 40-30 as Pliskova clawed back one break.
Two games later, Williams served for the match for a second time — and failed to win a point.
Still ahead, with Pliskova serving to level the contest at 5-all, Williams held three more match points.
And then, before a stunned Rod Laver Arena crowd, Williams’ reputation as one of the greatest servers in the history of the sport was left in tatters as she twice double-faulted to lose serve again — to love.
Williams played down her ankle injury, instead paying tribute to Pliskova.
“My ankle seems to be fine, I usually don’t (how bad it is) know til the next day,” Williams said.
“She just played lights out. She just played unbelievable.
“I don’t think it had anything to do with my ankle. Obviously I made some mistakes.
“She played well on my serve after that point (when she hurt her ankle), she played really good.
“I don’t think she gave up at all. She gave it her all at match point. Giving up was not an option for her.
“At that point I’m thinking ‘OK win this point’.
“The big picture for me is always winning, I’m not going to lie about that. It hasn’t happened yet but I think it’s gonna happen. One match at a time and keep soldiering on.
Regarded as flaky, Pliskova held her nerve when Williams lost hers.
“I played too passive,” Pliskova said.
“I was almost in the locker room but now I am standing here as a winner. It is a very good feeling.
“It was tough because she was really playing well. I didn’t have many chances in the third set and I was too passive, mentally down.
“I said ‘let’s try this game 5-2, maybe I will have a couple of chances’.
“She did get a little bit shaky in the end. So I took my chances and I won.”
Pliskova will face Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals for the right to play fellow Czech Petra Kvitova or American Danielle Collins.
Williams said she had entered in March’s Indian Wells Masters for her next tournament.
Experience the best of international tennis LIVE. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!
‘Shut them up’: The missing jewel driving Kyrgios’ return
After almost two years out of the game tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios is finally ready to return. In a wide-ranging interview with FATIMA KDOUH, he discusses Novak, Nadal, Piers Morgan and his plans to come back to the court.
‘Bloody long journey’: Hewitt’s update on son
Lleyton Hewitt has revealed his excitement at son Cruz’s progress ahead of a potential Australian Open return.