Serena Williams: I did not choke against Karolina Pliskova

Serena Williams failed to convert four match points but the American insists she “did not choke” during the Australian Open quarter-final defeat against Karolina Pliskova.

In the final set today in Melbourne Williams was 5-1 up but Pliskova saved the four match points and went on to win the final six games to secure her place in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Williams, 37, arrived in Melbourne aiming to secure a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title. She will now have to wait until the French Open for the opportunity to tie Margaret Court’s milestone.

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Speaking after her 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 defeat, Williams said: “Karolina literally played lights out starting 5-1, 40-30. Literally I’ve never seen anything like it.

“There’s nothing I did wrong on those match points. I stayed aggressive. She just hit the lines on some of them. One she hit an ace, unreturnable serve.

“I can’t say that I choked on those match points. She literally played her best tennis ever on those shots.”

For Pliskova it was a stunning turnaround and she will now face Japan’s Naomi Osaka in tomorrow’s semi-final. US Open champion Osaka won 6-4, 6-1 against Elina Svitolina.

“I didn’t have many chances in the third set set, I was a bit mentally down,” said 26-year-old Pliskova. “Then suddenly I got a chance too. That’s how it is in tennis. You need luck, of course, because this is I think not happening often, maybe once in life.

“But I went for it. I just said, ‘Like whatever. Maybe this can be over, but let’s just try this game’. I was with the wind, which kind of helped me little bit. I just went for my shots. She got a little bit shaky in the end so I took my chances and I won.”

Tomorrow’s other last-four clash sees eighth seed Petra Kvitova take on unseeded Danielle Rose.

Women’s semi-final draw

Seeds in brackets and estimated start times are all GMT.

Djokovic to face Pouille

Men’s world No.1 Novak Djokovic secured his place in the semi-finals after Kei Nishikori was forced to retire injured. Top seed Djokovic was leading 6-1, 4-1 when Nishikori retired because of a thigh problem.

Djokovic will play Lucas Pouille in the semi-finals on Friday. Frenchman Pouille beat 16th seed Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4.

The other semi-final will be between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal tomorrow.

Men’s semi-final draw

Seeds in brackets and estimated start times are all GMT.

• Thursday, 8.30am: Stefanos Tsitsipas (14) vs. Rafael Nadal (2)
• Friday, TBC: Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Lucas Pouille (28)

Thursday’s order of play on Rod Laver Arena

• 3.30am: Petra Kvitova (8) vs. Danielle Rose
• 4.30am: Karolina Pliskova (7) vs. Naomi Osaka (4)
• 8.30am: Stefanos Tsitsipas (14) vs. Rafael Nadal (2)