sport news Serena Williams squanders FOUR match points against Karolina Pliskova

Serena Williams slumped to a shocking defeat at the Australian Open after she blew four match points in an attempt to set up a rematch of the controversial US Open final.

Naomi Osaka lay in wait if she could get past Karolina Pliskova in Wednesday's quarter final, but the 37-year-old American could not keep up her side of the bargain, losing a 5-1 lead to go down 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours and 10 minutes.

Williams appeared to tweak her left ankle in a rally at 5-1, a game which also saw her foot fault on her first match point. She had three more at 5-4 and was then broken to love. It was not immediately apparent how much of a factor the ankle might have been as the Rod Laver Arena looked on, stunned. 

Karolina Pliskova saved four match points to book her place in the Australian Open semi-finals

Karolina Pliskova saved four match points to book her place in the Australian Open semi-finals

Serena Williams had looked in control before a late collapse saw her exit the Melbourne Slam

Serena Williams had looked in control before a late collapse saw her exit the Melbourne Slam

Pliskova raised her racket above her head as she celebrated one of the best wins of her career

Pliskova raised her racket above her head as she celebrated one of the best wins of her career

Williams shook hands with Pliskova at the net before making a swift departure from court

Williams shook hands with Pliskova at the net before making a swift departure from court

American Williams looked frustrated during the first set which she lost 6-4 after 40 minutes

American Williams looked frustrated during the first set which she lost 6-4 after 40 minutes

No 7 seed Pliskova served superbly in the opening set and did not face a single break point

No 7 seed Pliskova served superbly in the opening set and did not face a single break point

'I think she improved her game in the second set and went for her shots,' said a delighted Pliskova, the best player never to have won a Grand Slam.

'I was struggling against the wind. She was playing very well, I played too passive. I was almost in the locker room but now I am standing here as the winner so it's a very good feeling.

'It was tough, I didn't have many chances in the third set. At 5-2 I thought I got a couple of chances and she got a little bit shaky at the end.

'I will be ready for tomorrow, Naomi has had a great run but I don't think anyone is more dangerous than Serena.'

When Williams faces the better of the Pliskova twins she is up against someone who can serve bigger than her and, using her long levers, hit the ball with a similar degree of power. The Czech was also armed with the advice of former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, coaching her

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