Pliskova escapes US Open shock, Fognini booted out

New York: Karolina Pliskova saved a match point to defeat China's Zhang Shuai on Saturday and reach the US Open last 16, hanging on to her world No.1 spot in the process.

Top seed Pliskova, the runner-up in 2016, triumphed 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 but the lanky Czech was forced to save a match point in the 10th game of the second set and recover from a break down in the decider.

"I was match point down and I thought I haven't tried many forehand winners down the line. That's what I did. I may not have got another chance," said the 25-year-old.

"She got tight at the end of the second set, so I just waited for my chances."

Had she lost on Saturday, Pliskova would also have been guaranteed to lose her world No.1 ranking to either Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza or Elina Svitolina, both of whom are still in the tournament.

Pliskova will next face either Jennifer Brady of the United States or Monica Niculescu of Romania.