After defeating Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarter final match of the US Open on Wednesday night, Serena Williams, seeded number 1, was shockingly beaten last night, Thursday in the semifinals by now family foe, Karolina Pliskova. Pliskova, 28, seeded tenth, had also beaten older Williams sister Venus on Tuesday of this week and now advances to the US Open Women’s Finals on Saturday to play Angelique Kerber, now ranked as the number 1. Kerber beat Caroline Wozniacki in Thursday’s other semifinal match.
When asked about her health and how she was feeling after her victory on Wednesday, Williams, the last American to be eliminated, admitted that she wasn’t 100% but noted, “I’m OK. Nothing to complain about,” but was more forthcoming Thursday night after her loss. “I have been having some serious left knee problems,” she said.
This was the first back to back match for either semifinalist, Williams, Pliskova, Kerber or Wozniacki during this season’s Open, playing both Wednesday and Thursday night.
Williams, who practices every day, and noted that she had no problem with daily tournament play, adamently stated that the two matches within two days had nothing to do with her loss.
“I wasn’t’ tired. Fatigue had absolutely nothing to do with it. If I was tired, I should definitely get into a new career.”
Directly addressing her loss, Williams noted, “I wasn’t able to move the way I wanted to move. When you’re injured, you’re thinking of other things when you should be just playing and thinking of your shots,” but not to discount Pliskova’s victory, Williams also noted, “Karolina played great today. I think if she had played any less, then maybe I would have had a chance.”
Andy Murray’s loss to Kei Nishikori on Wednesday night, sets up the Men’s Singles Semifinals today (Friday). Nishikori, ranked 6th, will play three seeded, Stan Wawrinka in the second match and Novak Djokovic, seeded number one against Gael Monfils, ranked tenth in today’s first semifinal match.
Today’s winners of the men’s semis, play for the championship money and cup on Sunday.