By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Karolina Pliskova vanquished Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-2, charging into her first Wimbledon semifinal in her ninth SW19 main-draw appearance.
Photo credit: Getty
Beneath the closed roof of No. 1 Court, Karolina Pliskova stormed into her first Wimbledon semifinal.
Mixing firepower and finesse, Pliskova crushed Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-2 powering into her first Wimbledon semifinal without surrendering a set in her ninth SW19 main-draw appearance.
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Controlling the center of the court with clean drives, Pliskova unleashed a seven-game surge turning a 2-all match into a commanding 6-2, 3-0 lead and never looked back.
It's Pliskova's first major final four since the 2019 Australian Open and transforms a dreadful season into delightful opportunity.
The former world No. 1 spent practice week streamlining her footwork and today Pliskova high-stepped her way into history. Pliskova has now reached the semifinals or better at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
"Super happy to be through because its my first semifinal in Wimbledon," Pliskova said in her on-court interview. "First time on this court this year. I had to work really hard to get to this court so I'm happy I was here today.
"I think we played a good level. Of course the court looks a bit easy, but as you can see in the end it was a bit tricky. She's beaten some great opponents this week it was not an easy match."
The serve and return are the two most important shots in the sport. Pliskova dictated on serve and return.
Lashing heavy serves to set up stinging first-strikes, Pliskova served 69 percent, pounded 8 aces, won 30 of 36 first-serve points and saved all three break points she faced.
The 2016 US Open finalist will face either second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka or 21st-seeded Tuniasian Ons Jabeur for a spot in Saturday's final.
"I just feel my game is good the last two weeks in practices and even in the matches so I think that's the reason for all these scores," Pliskova said. "I beat some good girls and we had some good preparation with my team so I'm really happy for that and hope I can continue."
The 66th-ranked Golubic wielded her one-handed backhand beautifully knocking off three American foes in a row—Danielle Collins, Madison Brengle and former US Open finalist Madison Keys yesterday—but today the Swiss left too many no-pace backhands in the middle of the court, fodder for Pliskova's flat blasts.
It was an all-court performance from Pliskova, who won 17 of 21 net points. Pliskova was quick off the mark and showed soft hands countering Golubic's drop shot attempts.
Serving at 6-2, 4-2, Pliskova incurred a foot fault double fault chasing an errant toss to face a break point.
The 6' Czech snapped off slice serve to save it. Pliskova pumped a 116 mph ace down the middle, but sailed another double fault to face a second break point. She erased it with a 101 mph ace. Pliskova persevered through the longest game of the match with three aces in all holding for 5-2.
The Swiss saved two match points in the eighth game, including nudging a terrific drop shot. Golubic denied a third match point with a sweeping forehand. Power player Pliskova showed her fine feel carving a running backhand drop shot for a fourth match point then drew the forehand error