Karolina Pliskova Edges Sabalenka To Reach Maiden Wimbledon Final - UBITENNIS

Karolina Pliskova Edges Sabalenka To Reach Maiden Wimbledon Final

Karolina Pliskova is into her second grand slam final after edging past Aryna Sabalenka.

By Tony Fairbairn
4 Min Read

Karolina Pliskova ousted out Aryna Sabalenka 5-7 6-4 6-4 to reach her first Wimbledon final.

In this big-hitting and big-serving affair, it was the Czech Republican who created more opportunities on return to edge past the Belarusian.

It’s now a first Wimbledon final and a second grand slam final for Pliskova who will face Ash Barty on Saturday.

Both players took no time at all in settling into the occasion as Sabalenka was playing her first grand slam semi-final.

It was Sabalenka’s ferocious power against Pliskova’s movement and effortless shot-making with the latter coming up trumps in the early exchanges.

Throughout the opening set there were eight break points created by Pliskova with Sabalenka saving them with big first serve.

The Czech Republican’s ability to neutralise points and make Sabalenka play one extra ball was the key difference.

However the second seed responded by frustrating the former US Open finalist with clutch serving patterns.

Eventually the Belarusian would escape all those break points and would create one of her own at a crucial juncture in the opening set.

At a crucial moment Pliskova served a double fault as Sabalenka took the opening set 7-5.

Pliskova’s frustration grew as Sabalenka’s serving got more ridiculous with the second seed also laying down hammer-like forehands.

In the fifth game though, Pliskova played a dream of a return game making returns with power and depth.

A break to love finally broke the returning hoodoo as she was now 3-2 up in the second set.

That was followed up by a comfortable service hold which included three aces by the eighth seed.

More big-hitting followed as Pliskova turned up the heat before some more powerful serving from the Belarusian denied the Czech Republican.

Despite some late jitters, Pliskova managed to close out the second set 6-4 to force a deciding set.

The momentum was carried into the third set as she got the break in the first game with some stunning returning.

From then on it was all on Pliskova’s racket as she dominated on her first serve.

Both players continued to serve ridiculous points but there was also variety and an occasional long rally to entertain the crowd.

In the end Pliskova’s flat hitting was too much for Sabalenka as an ace sealed victory and her second grand slam final.

After the match Pliskova described her emotions after reaching her first Wimbledon final, “I am in the final so think it is incredible. It was an amazing match from both of us,” Pliskova explained.

“I got a bit frustrated but she was serving unbelievably – she was in a semi-final so had to play some great tennis. I am supper happy I managed to find a way to win.

“It is difficult when you are not doing well to stay positive, but my teams is super positive, thanks to them I managed to stay calm and I trust in my game – I have had success in the past so it is not like I forgot how to play tennis.”

Pliskova will now play world number one Ash Barty on Saturday for the title. She can become the 56th

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