Pliskova shocks Serena

Pliskova, the 10th-seeded Czech playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, triumphed 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) and will face Angelique Kerber, the German who beat Williams in the Wimbledon final and who will supplant the American atop the summit when the new world rankings are released on Monday.

I don't believe it,” said Pliskova, who had never made it past the third round of a Grand Slam in 17 prior attempts.I knew I had the chance to beat anyone if I played my game. I am excited to be in the final and to beat Serena as she is such a great champion.”

Williams said she had been hampered by a sore left knee since earlier in the tournament. Although it was a distraction, she said Pliskova earned her victory.Karolina played great on Thursday. I think if she had played any less then maybe I would have had a chance,” said Williams, who with one more Grand Slam title will move out of a tie with Steffi Graf for most in the Open Era.

So I think I wasn't at 100 percent, but I also think she played well. She deserved to win on Thursday.”
In the other semifinal, Angelique Kerber beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3.

The 28-year-old left-hander, who won the Australian Open in January and was Wimbledon runner-up in July, is the first German woman to reach the final in New York since Steffi Graf in 1996.She will emulate Graf as US Open champion if she gets the better of Karolina Pliskova in Saturday's championship match.

Graf is also the only other German woman to achieve the top ranking. Kerber who has made the final without dropping a set.
The German leads Pliskova 4-3 in their head to heads, but the Czech won their most recent meeting in the Cincinnati final last month.