In pics: Serena Williams knocked out of Australian Open
Pliskova stuns Williams
Serena Williams, eyeing a milestone 24th Grand Slam victory, squandered four match points and blew a 5-1 lead in the decider as seventh seed Karolina Pliskova produced a stunning fightback to claim a 6-4 4-6 7-5 quarter-final victory over the American at the Australian Open.
Williams saved two match points in the last game but netted on the third as the Czech shocked a packed Rod Laver Arena with her remarkable rally from the brink of defeat.
Pliskova reaches final
By virtue of this win, Karolina Pliskova advanced to meet Naomi Osaka for a place in the final, denying Williams the chance to avenge her controversial US Open title match defeat to the Japanese fourth seed.
Serena struggled in 2nd set
Former world number one Williams, seeded 16 as she continues her return to the circuit after giving birth in September 2017, had struggled early and needed to launch her own comeback from a break down in the second set to level the match.
Serena tastes defeat
Williams carried the momentum into the decider and roared to 5-1 lead as the tall Czech's power game crumbled. However, the 37-year-old suffered an astonishing wobble with the finish line in sight, the American broken twice when serving for the match.
'Serena dangerous than Naomi', feels Pliskova
On cloud nine after her victory, Pliskova said she finds Serena to be more dangerous than Japan's Naomi.
'She improved her game in the second set. She was playing very well, went for her shots. I was a bit passive,' an elated Pliskova said in a 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.'
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