Serena Williams eliminated from the Australian Open by Karolina Pliskova after scoring points

Serena Williams said she "did not suffocate" after missing four points, while seventh-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova had won the last six games to win the quarter-final spectacular. the Open of Australia.

The 37-year-old, who is aiming for a record 24-time Grand Slam singles title, led 5-1 in the standings but lost 6-4 4-6 7-5 to Melbourne.

"I think she's just shed light on the match points," Williams said.

"I've tried my luck," said Pliskova, who won his third match point.

Former world No. 1 Pliskova will meet fourth-seeded Japanese Naomi Osaka in the final four on Thursday, while eighth-seeded Petra Kvitova will face American Danielle Collins, who ranked, in the other semifinal.

Williams, seeded 16th, played down an ankle injury she suffered at the rally at her first point of the match when she served at 5-1, 40-30.

The seven-time Australian Open champion has not won another point in service after the incident.

"She hit the lines and went crazy, she played incredibly in match points," Williams said.

"It has nothing to do with my ankle, of course I made mistakes but she played very well."

Williams' inability to seal the win means a much-anticipated rematch of his controversial defeat against the final defeat against the US Open against Osaka, 21, must wait.

Like Osaka, Pliskova will participate for the first time in the semifinals of the Australian Open. She has won a victory since her second Grand Slam final, after the defeat of German Angelique Kerber at the US Open 2016.

Pliskova led by one game and a break to 3-2 before the momentum returned to Williams and the victory appeared as a formality after winning nine out of 10 matches and set up a match point.

But the momentum then resumed its course towards Pliskova in a chaotic encounter.

"I was almost in the locker room, but I'm now the winner," she said.

"I had the spirit in the locker room at 5-1, but I was still there – I was too pbadive and mentally depressed, but she was a little fragile.

"Naomi Osaka is dangerous but there is no one more dangerous than Serena."

Pliskova remains nervous in a thrilling final

Former world number 1 Williams was considered the favorite to win the women's singles and first major title since the birth of her daughter in September 2017, although she did not play competitively since his loss to Osaka in New York.

An eighth triumph in Melbourne would have allowed Margaret Court to break the record of major victories by 44 – but she lost in remarkable circumstances near the stadium named after the Australian.

After firing back after a first set of errors, Williams was positioned in a winning position while Pliskova looked beaten in the decision.

Then came a captivating finale that left Williams – and those who watched on Laver – stunned.

Holding the match point at 5-1, Williams was called for a foul and then lost an exchange with a forehand in the net.

This was aggravated by the fact that she seemed to be spinning her ankle at the same time, with a double fault and an unforced backhand error that gave Pliskova pause – and a glimpse of hope.

Pliskova took this opportunity and the momentum that accompanied him, breaking the love for 5-4 and now serve, after saving three more match points, tied.

Williams' service disintegrated under the name Pliskova, with the help of a double fault, then a gain in forehand in 0-40, broke to love, which left her to serve for the match.

Despite a slight blip while Williams saved two match points, Pliskova kept his cool to claim victory in two hours and ten minutes.

Analysis

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller at Melbourne Park

The first chapter of this match aroused admiration for the way Pliskova was playing.

The second was very familiar, but no less remarkable, since Williams absorbed serious pressure at the start of the second set before packing.

The last chapter, however, I had not read before.

After Williams rolled around and the first point of the match escaped, she did not win another point on duty. She was offering three double faults and was committing the kind of mistakes you did not badociate her when the match was in play.

Pliskova has beautifully seized his opportunity and could yet finish the week as the Australian Open champion and world number one.

For Williams, all roads now lead to Roland Garros where she hopes for a more favorable draw. To win the title here, there is a good chance she has had to beat four of the top 10 players one after the other. She has won only two victories in the top 10 since returning to the circuit last March.