Serena loses in U.S. Open semis
American also won’t keep No. 1 ranking
NEW YORK — Serena Williams was upset in the U.S. Open semifinals for the second year in a row, beaten 6-2, 7-6 (5) by 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on Thursday night.
Williams, who clutched at her left leg between points in the second set, double-faulted to end it.
Afterward, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said Williams injured her left knee in the quarterfinals.
“Karolina played great today. I think if she had played any less, then maybe I would have had a chance,” Williams said. “So I think I wasn’t at 100 percent, but I also think she played well. She deserved to win today.”
The loss prevents Williams from earning her seventh championship at Flushing Meadows and 23rd major title overall, which would both have been Open-era records.
“I don’t believe it,” Pliskova said. “Actually, I do believe it . ... Serena is a champion. It’s never easy to play her. I’m really happy that I stayed there to get the win.”
The loss also means Williams’ 3 ½-year reign at No. 1 in the WTA rankings will end. She will be overtaken on Monday by current No. 2 Angelique Kerber, who faced Caroline Wozniacki in Thursday’s second semifinal.
“I had a goal today to beat Serena. That’s what I did,” Pliskova said. “I don’t care who is there in the final.”
A year ago, Williams’ bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam ended when she lost in the U.S. Open