Australian Open LIVE: Serena Williams v Karolina Pliskova

It's a pretty simple equation for Williams: keep holding serve and look for the moment to pounce and break the Czech

The winner of this Pliskova v Williams match will next face ....

Pliskova leads 6-1, 1-2

The Czech holds well. Plenty of signs this match will go the distance.

Williams holds. Just one break point might have been enough to wake the American up from her slumber. There's the fist pump!

Pliskova leads 6-4, 0-1

No respite for Williams. Facing a break point in the first game of the second set ...

Pliskova needed only the first of two set points. She nails the opener 6-4 with an ace!

It's game on at Rod Laver Arena. A potential semi-final showdown between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams is quite some way off yet.

Williams, with an open court, sends her forehand into the net. The American lets out a cry ... that was her moment. Czech just a few points away from taking the set.

Williams holds to love. That makes it 10 straight points won by the server. 

OK, pressure right back on Serena Williams. That was a clinical service game from the Czech. Williams didn't get a look in.