MELBOURNE – Nasayang ni Serena Williams ang apat na match points at nabitiwan ang 5-1 kalamangan sa decider nang gulantangin ni seventh seed Karolina Pliskova ang American player, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, sa quarterfinals sa Australian Open kahapon.
Sa pagkatalo ay nabigo si Williams sa kanyang pagtatangkang makopo ang ika-24 na Grand Slam.
Naisaayos ni Pliskova ang semifinal duel kay Naomi Osaka, at nawalan din ng pagkakataon si Williams na maiganti ang kanyang kontrobersiyal na U.S. Open title match defeat sa Japanese fourth seed.
“She improved her game in the second set. She was playing very well, went for her shots. I was a bit passive,” masayang pahayag ni Pliskova sa post-match interview.
“My mind wasn’t in the locker room, I was still here. I was a bit passive. But I said ‘let’s try this game’. I took my chances and I won.
“I am happy I get to play two days in a row. Osaka’s dangerous but I don’t think anyone is more dangerous than Serena. So I will enjoy this one.”
Samantala, umabante si Rafael Nadal sa semifinals makaraang dispatsahin si Frances Tiafoe ng U.S., 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Hindi inaasahan ng 17-time Grand Slam champion na makakapasok siya sa semifinals.
Susunod na makakasagupa ni Nadal si Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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