Serena Williams set up a US Open semifinal meeting with Anastasija Sevastova after overcoming an early deficit to beat Karolina Pliskova. This is the American’s first Top 10 victory in 2018.
The 17th-seeded Williams won eight consecutive games from 2-4 to 6-2 4-0. The eighth-seeded Pliskova then won two games in a row and earned four break points in the seventh game of the second set as Serena served down 0-40. However, the American saved them all and then served out the match at love, sealing it with an ace, 6-4 6-3. The three-time WTA ace leader Pliskova hit three aces during the encounter in Arthur Ashe Stadium, while Williams recorded 13.
This victory is Williams’ revenge for the 2016 US Open semifinal loss to Pliskova, when the Czech reached her maiden Grand Slam final that later ascended her to the No.1 WTA ranking.
