How Serena gave up 5-1 lead – the key moments of loss to Pliskova
Serena Williams made an incredible exit from the Australian Open on Wednesday, giving up a 5-1 final-set lead to Karolina Pliskova in their quarter-final.
Williams rolled her ankle during the seventh game of the final set as she served for a spot to face Naomi Osaka in the last four in Melbourne.
Instead, the 23-time grand slam champion squandered four match points and lost six straight games, beaten 6-4 4-6 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena.
Williams lost 25 of the final 33 points of the match – including all 11 on serve – but was full of praise for Pliskova afterwards, while insisting she did not choke.
We take a closer look at how the match points, and crucial others, unfolded.
Amazing scenes after @KaPliskova stuns Serena Williams. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/8EpLyxjXac
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2019
Williams serving at 5-1, 40-30
After being called for a foot fault, Williams is moved around the court by Pliskova, who dictates with her forehand to win the point as her opponent rolls her left ankle.
Williams serving at 5-1, 40-40
Looking troubled by her ankle, Williams puts two serves into the net.
Williams serving at 5-1, 40-AD
After missing another first serve, Williams sends a backhand almost halfway up the net to drop serve.
Pliskova serving at 2-5, 30-30
Two points from defeat, Pliskova produces an ace out wide.
#Pliskova holds and #Serena will serve for the match at 5-3 in the decider.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/hDSnSieuxS
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2019
Williams serving at 5-3, 0-15
Williams serves another double fault.
Pliskova serving at 4-5, 15-40
Williams’ second match point is saved when Pliskova serves out wide and then hits a clean backhand winner down the line.
Pliskova serving at 4-5, 30-40
Pliskova’s first serve only just misses down the T, but a forehand cross-court forces Williams into an error.
Pliskova serving at 4-5, 40-AD
A fourth chance for Williams goes begging when Pliskova paints the baseline with a huge forehand.
Williams serving at 5-5, 0-15
Williams serves a third double fault in as many games, although these are long. She produced just four double faults for the match.
Pliskova serving at 6-5, 40-30
The comeback is completed when Pliskova hits a big serve down the T, controls the point and Williams puts a forehand into the net.
She’s done it!@KaPliskova saves four match points en route to a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory over #Serena Williams. She’s into the final 4!#GameSetMatch #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/txzmOmDggc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2019
