Venus Williams knocked off in US Open fourth round

Venus Williams of the USA hits to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on day eight of the 2016 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Sept 5, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - The sixth-seeded Venus Williams lost 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the fourth round of the US Open on Monday.

"I was prepared that I'm going to play Venus. It's going to be tough, because all the people are cheering for her," said Pliskova.

Pliskova, 24, who reached last eight in major for first time in her career as she had never been past the third round in 17 appearances at majors before.

Williams, 36, failed to convert a match point as she led 5-4 at the second set while Pliskova was serving at 30-40. But Pliskova erased that with a swinging forehand volley and followed it up with another forehand winner.

"I really played the perfect point there, and she managed to stay alive," Williams said about the match point she missed after the game.