Serena Williams vs. Karolina Pliskova: Score and Reaction from 2016 US Open

Serena Williams will no longer be the world’s No. 1 player following Thursday’s shocking semifinal loss to No. 10 Karolina Pliskova at the 2016 U.S. Open.

Pliskova dominated play from the outset with her serve and won in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Williams appeared fatigued after Wednesday’s three-set quarterfinals win over Simona Halep, but it is a testament to Pliskova’s game that she reached her first career major final by beating the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

BREAKING: Serena Williams falls 6-2, 7-6 in semifinals of US Open to Karolina Pliskova pic.twitter.com/9YRUNidljA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2016

Pliskova notched seven aces during the match, but it was her efficiency on the first serve that proved to be the difference. She won a commanding 84 percent of her first-service points, per the U.S. Open’s official website, and never let Williams establish sustained momentum with timely breaks. Williams committed 31 unforced errors and couldn’t answer Pliskova’s effectiveness.

According to Tom Allnutt of The Independent, Angelique Kerber had to match or better Williams at the U.S. Open to take over the No. 1 spot, and she has already done that by reaching the other semifinal. Nick McCarvel of USA Today noted Williams acknowledged the moment after the loss:

#Serena exits court w/ index finger wagging up in air. Not number one in the rankings anymore, but hey, still best player in world #usopen

— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) September 9, 2016

It was Pliskova who earned the first break of the match during the first set when Williams sailed a backhand long on a break point. Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times noted Williams wasn’t moving the 6’1″ Pliskova around …

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