Ashleigh Barty |
Pliskova had never been beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon
but showed great resilience in coming from behind to beat second seed Aryna
Sabalenka 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
It was a rare feat by Pliskova as in the previous 33
semi-finals only two players had reached the final after losing the first set.
"I never thought about, like, maybe going into the
final," said Pliskova of her ambitions at the beginning of the tournament.
"The dream was to make the second week, of course,
because I was not in the second week for a while.
"I am super proud about the way how I handled the
situation out there, the second and third set, and that I served out the
match."
Whoever emerges victorious on Saturday there will be a new
name on the trophy as it is the first Wimbledon final for both of them.
"I think it can't be any better than that," said
Pliskova of facing Barty.
"You want to play the best player in the final. Of
course, I don't want anybody else but her there."
For the 29-year-old eighth seed it is her second Grand Slam
final -- she lost the 2016 US Open -- and she is the first Czech finalist at
Wimbledon since Petra Kvitova won her second title in 2014.
"It sounds amazing to be in the final as I never got
past the fourth round here before," said Pliskova who squandered all eight
break points she created in the first set.
"I was, like, super pissed about that because I thought
I had so many chances in the first set.
"I had so many chances in the first set and I got
frustrated. A lot of credit to her, she played a great match.
"I'm super happy to have found a way to win."
"She plays so fast. I didn't have time to think about
what I needed to do. She's super powerful."
Sabalenka could reflect on her most successful performance
at a Grand Slam tournament having never before gone further than the fourth
round.
"She is older than me and more experienced," said
Sabalenka.
"I felt today there was something to lose and felt a
little tight and overtried things.
"Her serve was a big challenge for me. I had
opportunities in the second set but she played too good.
"I did my best but it is tough."
World number one Barty earlier defeated 2018 champion Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) in her semi-final.
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