By Christian Radnedge
LONDON - Czech Karolina Pliskova said she exceeded her own expectations by reaching her maiden Wimbledon final by beating Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday but that anything could happen when she faces world number one Ash Barty on Saturday.
The 29-year-old former top-ranked player battled back from a set down to second seed Sabalanka to win 5-7 6-4 6-4, the first time in 10 years a player has done so in the women's semi-finals at the All England Club.
It was a battle of the six-feet tall big-hitters as the pair racked up 32 aces between them in a tight contest, smashing a Wimbledon record held by Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka from 2012 when they hit a combined 25 aces.
ALSO READ: Wimbledon set for new queen as Ashley Barty and Karolina Pliskova reach final
In the end, eighth seed Pliskova kept her cool to record her first win over the 23-year-old Belarusian and reach her first Grand Slam final since the 2016 U.S. Open.
"I think I'm still half like I can't believe it because somehow coming into this tournament the dream was to make the second week, of course, because I was not in the second week for a while," she told a news conference.
"Never I thought about maybe going into the final. (Coach) Sascha (Bajin) was super confident in me. He said, 'I told you you were going to make the final'...
ALSO READ: Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov, the rap music showman
"I knew it was going to be like super close because we both serve big, so I knew there were going to be many small chances. Especially after losing the first set, I thought it was going to be super tough to win this match.
"Then to win two sets in a row with the way she was serving today, I think she was serving incredible, all my chances she just put amazing serves in."
Standing in Pliskova's way of achieving a first Grand Slam title is top seed Barty who is aiming to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time herself.
History favours the Australian who has five wins to Pliskova's two in their previous meetings.
ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic set to rule over Wimbledon's young pretenders
However, the Czech was calm yet confident that she could spring a surprise and finally show that her potential has not gone unfulfilled.
"So far my second final, second time I'm playing against a player world number one," she said with a smile, having lost to then top-ranked Angelique Kerber, who was beaten by Barty at Wimbledon on Thursday, in the final at Flushing Meadows in 2016.
"But, no, I think it can't be any better than that. You want to play the best player in the final. Of course, I don't want anybody else but her there.
"We've had some good matches. Of course, I lost couple of times. But I think she has an extremely difficult game to play (against). It's going to be difficult on grass because of her slides and just her game overall.
"It's a final. Anything can happen. Also for her, I know she has a Grand Slam, but also for her it is the first Wimbledon final. I think we both have good chances.
"It's going to be hopefully a good match to watch as well because with her it's always interesting."
Reuters