Serena Williams knocked out of Australian Open 2019
What's the story
Veteran women's singles tennis star Serena Williams has crashed out of the Australian Open 2019. The 23-time Grand Slam winner was in search of a record-equalling 24th title, but her dream was quashed by Karolina Pliskova in the quarter-finals. Serena missed four match points before succumbing to the seventh seed. Here's more on the match.
Serena
Serena loses last six games to crash out
Serena was leading 5-1 in the final set and was on course for a semi-final appearance. But the American tennis ace lost the last six games to end with a 4-6, 6-4, 5-7 defeat. Pliskova booked her maiden semis berth in Melbourne. The 26-year-old will meet Japan's Naomi Osaka in the semis.
Quote
I took my chances in the end: Pliskova
"I think she improved her game in the second set, just got her shots and she was playing very well. She was more aggressive, I played too passive. But she got shaky in the end and I took my chances," said Pliskova.
Osaka
Osaka continues her dream run
US Open 2018 winner Naomi Osaka has continued her dream run and is on course for a second career Grand Slam. The youngster thrashed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-1 in Melbourne to seal her place in the semis. Osaka hit 31 winners to show her authority in the match. "I tried to be consistent or as consistent as I can be," said Osaka.
Twitter Post
A spot in the semis for Osaka
Semis pic.twitter.com/VhzpmwuGI3
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) January 23, 2019