Pliskova stuns Serena to reach US Open final

Karolina Pliskova has stunned Serena Williams to reach her first Grand Slam final.

The Czech No.10 seed produced a composed performance to see off the top seed 6-2 7-6(5) on Thursday night at Flushing Meadows.

Serena lost the match – and her world No.1 ranking – on a double fault.

Come Monday, Angelique Kerber will ascend to top spot, leaving Williams level with Steffi Graf with 186 consecutive weeks at No.1.

“I don’t believe it,” Pliskova said after the match. “Actually I do believe it – I always have a chance if I play my game. This is something really special.

“It was really hard, but I’m really happy that I stayed in it.”

In the first set, Pliskova played a huge third game, treating Williams’ serve with contempt to break for a 2-1 lead.

This article first appeared on on-the-t.com. To read Steph’s analysis of Kerber v Wozniacki click here.“>RELATED: GIG analysis of Pliskova v Serena

She broke again in the seventh game for 5-2 and, playing in her rapid-fire style, promptly served out the set in the next game with a big first serve the world No.1 couldn’t handle.

The second set was a tighter tussle.

Pliskova broke in the fifth game to build a set and a break lead, only to throw in a disastrous performance in the game; a rash of errors helped Williams break straight back to love.

Games then settled into a consistent rhythm of service holds, and the set progressed to a tiebreak.

There, Pliskova raced out to a 3-0 lead only for Williams to level at 3-3 when the Czech threw in an untimely double fault.

Yet after a stunning rally in which Pliskova outlasted Williams to reach match point, it was Serena’s turn to err.

She poked a tentative second serve long to send Pliskova into the title match; there she will face Angelique Kerber, who defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the second semifinal.

It was Pliskova’s first victory over Williams; she lost their only prior meeting in Stanford in 2014.

Having beaten Venus Williams in the fourth round this year at Flushing Meadows, Pliskova becomes the first player since Kim Clijsters at the US Open 2009 to beat both Williams sisters at a major tournament.

The only others to do so at a Grand Slam event were Justine Henin (US Open 2007) and Martina Hingis (Australian Open 2001).

Pliskova is just the eighth player in history to defeat both Serena and Venus at the same tournament (of any category).

“I would say also the game was quite similar to Venus, so I knew it’s gonna be a little bit about the same match what I played with Venus and same serving, same speed,” she said.

“Obviously Serena is No. 1. Venus is a little bit behind her. She’s definitely playing a little bit better. I was expecting tough match but I knew I can win.

“To beat Serena, she’s world No. 1, so it’s always tough to beat someone like this. She’s never giving up. Even if she’s losing, not playing her best, it’s always tough to beat girls like this.

“I would maybe say it was a little bit tougher to play Venus because obviously I was match point down and she was serving much better than Serena was tonight … But, I mean, both matches were very good.

“I hope I didn’t stop yet, that there is still one more step to go. I’ll do anything for getting the title.

“I’m really excited to be there and really excited to be in a Grand Slam final for first time in my life.”