The match of the day on Monday’s schedule was the second match on Ashe between Venus Williams and Karolina Pliskova. It’s so good when an anticipated match lives up to expectation…
Karolina Pliskova saved a match point to defeat Venus Williams, 4-6 6-4 7-6(3) in a thrilling third set crescendo. The first two sets were so-so, but the the final half an hour was fabulous tennis and some of the highest quality we’ve seen all year.
Venus made a fabulous start to the match, delivering a number of delicate drop shot winners early on to race into a *5-1 lead. However, she was twice unable to serve out the set. Pliskova was in the match but she couldn’t hold her serve faced with scoreboard pressure, getting broken for a third time with another poor game. Venus took the opener, 6-4. Venus was a set and a break up but began to play some loose strokes as Pliskova knuckled down impressively and won five games out of six to win the second set, 6-4 and force a decider.
From midway in the third set, I was hooked! Venus recovered from a break down in the third set and held impressively to lead 5-4. The number six seed had a match point but Pliskova was fearless, staying close to the lines. Pliskova held, broke and then quickly brought up three match points at *6-5 *40-0 in the decider. Pliskova couldn’t find a first serve for toffee but Venus strung together a series of SENSATIONAL points. Her backhand was tremendous in this match!
In a dramatic tiebreak, Pliskova was the steadier to seal the biggest win of her career. The Czech player produced a magnificent volley at 3-2 when it looked like Venus’s pass was good enough (see video below by the US Open Facebook Page). There could have been an interesting turnaround when Venus challenged a Pliskova ball (awfully late!) on match point which Hawkeye ruled out but Pliskova wrapped up the match on the next point.
It’s always sad to see Venus go out but but I am really chuffed for Karolina. I feel that her lack of success at the Slams has been holding her back at times this year and it’s so nice to see her game finally coming together on the big stage. In a third set tiebreak against a home favourite, Pliskova hung tough in the most intense of situations and really pulled it out of the bag. This has been long overdue for Pliskova and could be a game-changer for her going forward.
This was a great match – there were a few flutters of “match of the year” on Twitter. Not for me personally as I couldn’t get into it during the first two sets. The decider though was magnificent and that propels it some way up my top 20 list.
Moo's Tennis Blog 
It look like it hurt Venus. I was gutted she didn’t win. Commentators were annoying chatting about if it’ll be her last US Open. I can’t see her retiring without saying….!!!
LikeLike
Yup it was another tough loss at the US Open for Venus 😦
I agree, I see no signs whatsoever of her stopping anytime soon.
LikeLike
Venus did give a good account of herself, how many women on tour can challenge Karolina like she did in spite of her age. If she’s in good health and still wants to play, why not? Karolina does need some kind of breakthrough in her tennis career, I feel. I’m quietly observing her progress. Anyway, whats up with Kat. Pliskova in all this. They used to be a tandem a couple of years back.
LikeLike
Goerges is Karolina’s twin now.
Krystina has the potential to be even better than her sister though, being left handed and having a touch more power.
LikeLike
It wasn’t quite match of the year quality. Not over Venus/Kasatkina or Aga/Cibulkova (Wimbledon) or Kerber/Puig (Rio). But it was an enthralling match, nonetheless, and probably the highest quality of the tournament so far. Even though Venus served doubles, I thought her serve was pretty on fire, and yet Karolina was getting almost every serve back into play- I’ve never seen her return serve SO well!
Thrilled for both Konjuh and Pliskova. It’s a shame that one of their dream runs is going to have to come to an end.
LikeLike
Konjuh Pliskova will be very exciting, Konjuh seems to have immaculate power and also a lot of craft so it doesnt surprise me that she beat Aga, she also seems very mature.
I love Pliskova and her effortless ball striking, however I think Konjuh is better at the net.
Let’s see what happens!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree, I can’t wait for Konjuh-Pliskova. Really hope it goes three sets, it’s the match that could go quickly with whoever wins the opener.
LikeLike
I really hopes so, because on paper, Ana has the power and variety to challenge Pliskova fairly. Karolina has the experience advantage here and given the occasion may just be the needed advantage. I hope nerves don’t get the better of either player. Konjuh reminds me of a young Svetlana just before that first US Open win when she was what , 19. Just the way she goes about her game and her calmness. Karolina will need to play her smartly.
LikeLike
I don’t think Kuznetsova ever had as much easy power as Konjuh does, though. But I can see what you mean.
LikeLike
Yes I do agree, Konjuh has more strength, she’s sort of built that way as well. Slightly taller as well I believe, but the thought of her ability to mix the power with ground strokes and variety is promising.
LikeLike