US
Australian tennis star beats Czech Republic’s Pliskova 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 in nerve-shredding final
Australian aims to fulfil childhood dream; Czech player wants to prove critics wrong
World number one beats Czech opponent 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in quarters
Czech docked a point for smashing her racquet before losing to compatriot Muchova 7-5, 7-5 in third round
Tournament lost number one Karolina Pliskova and number two Sofia Kenin crashing out of the US Open tuneup
37-year-old American is still waiting for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam triumph
Newly-crowned Australian Open champion and world number one Naomi Osaka also withdrew days before the start
Williams squandered four match points and blew a 5-1 lead in the decider to Karolina Pliskova