Karolina Pliskova battles back to beat Aryna Sabalenka and reach Wimbledon final

Karolina Pliskova came from a set down to overcome second seed Aryna Sabalenka and reach her maiden Wimbledon final.
Pliskova, ranked 13 in the world, won a high-quality contest of big-hitting 5-7 6-4 6-4 and will face top seed Ashleigh Barty on Saturday.
Pliskova actually posed the main threat in the first set, forcing eight break points in total – at 2-2, 3-3 and 5-5 – but each time Sabalenka’s powerful serve got her out of trouble.
And then there were two.
Who wins?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bJS5JQm34q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2021
Sabalenka, by contrast, had not got near the Pliskova serve until the eighth seed made a mess of a volley with the entire court to aim at.
A delightful Sabalenka drop volley then brought up a solitary point for the set – and an untimely Pliskova double-fault gift-wrapped it for her.
Pliskova finally landed a punch at 2-2 in the second, bringing up another three break points and nailing the first with a perfect return to the feet which Sabalenka could only scuff into the net.
The 29-year-old backed up the break with three aces to take a 4-2 lead, confidently served out the set and made an ideal start to the decider with a break and a confident hold.
Pliskova’s grand slam experience – she has now made the semi-finals or better at all four major championships – was beginning to tell against her 23-year-old opponent.
Sabalenka went into full hustle mode, varying her pace and trying to move Pliskova around the court.

But Pliskova held her nerve, clinching her place in the final with an ace to give herself the chance to claim her first grand slam title.
She said: “It’s amazing, until now I didn’t get past the fourth round – now I’m in the final. It’s an amazing achievement.
“I think we played a great match. She served amazing, so I’m super happy I managed to stay in there and find a way to win.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev seeks time on court ahead of French Open
Geneva holds great importance for Daniil Medvedev’s hopes of a French Open triumph.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek is setting example for mental health focus psychologist feels
Psychologist Daria Abramowicz travels with Iga Swiatek as a key part of her support team.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon ban: Novak Djokovic plays down suggestions of boycott, saying ‘there are better solutions’
Wimbledon “very strict”, but Novak Djokovic says boycott is unlikely.
-
French Open
2022 French Open: When does it take place, the defending champions, who are absent, TV channels, prize money
Everything you need to know about the French Open.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic for Eurovision? Nole shows off vocal skills while his son Stefan wins his first-ever tournament
A sunshine double for Novak Djokovic and family.
-
Tennis News
Laura Robson retires from tennis: ‘It feels weird to say out loud, but I’m done, I’m retired’
Laura Robson reached the top 30 as a teenager but has been troubled by injury.
-
French Open
French Open tournament director ‘crossing fingers’ to have Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros main draw
Rafael Nadal still touch-and-go for French Open.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek celebrates with ‘lots of tiramisu’ as she soaks up ‘pretty surreal’ five titles in a row
Tiramisu galore for Iga Swiatek.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev to stay clear of spats about ‘tricky’ Wimbledon situation, but happy to play if ban is reversed
Daniil Medvedev not sure if Wimbledon ban “is 100 percent, and it’s over”.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic has ‘good feelings’ about French Open chances after ‘everything clicked’ at Italian Open
It is all going according to plan for Novak Djokovic.