DHAKA: Czech 10th seed Karolina Pliskova outplayed Serena Williams to reach the US Open final and end the American's reign as world number one.

Williams, 34, double faulted on match point to lose 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to Pliskova who will face Angelique Kerber or Carolina Wozniacki in the final.

The result guarantees that Germany’s Kerber will overtake Williams at the top of the rankings after the US Open, reports the BBC.

Williams had also hoped to win an Open-era record 23rd major singles title.

She remains tied with Steffi Graf for both Grand Slam titles, and the WTA record of 186 weeks as world number one.

Pliskova went into the match on a 10-match winning streak, and with the most aces on the WTA Tour this year, and it was that shot which carried the Czech to victory.

It took Williams 50 minutes to earn her first break point as the Czech nullified her returns, while attacking the American's second serve.

That brought Pliskova two breaks as she raced through the first set in just 26 minutes, and the home crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium urged on Williams as the six-time champion fell behind midway through the second set.

Williams sparked into life, finally breaking Pliskova's serve - to love - but the anticipated comeback was cut short in the tie-break.

There were a few signs of nerves as Pliskova let a 3-0 lead slip but from 5-4 in front, Williams produced a forehand wide, a backhand long and a double fault to end with 31 unforced errors.

“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.”

“Even when she was down a set and break she was still fighting. I had to fight hard to win.”

Pliskova saved a match point against Venus Williams in round four and becomes only the fourth woman to beat both Williams sisters in the same Grand Slam tournament.

BDST: 1213 HRS, SEP 09, 2016
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