Naomi Osaka has secured her spot in the US Open semifinals after a hard-fought victory against the Czech star Karolina Muchova, winning 6-4, 7-6(3). The four-time Grand Slam champion continues her undefeated streak in major quarterfinals and is now guaranteed her best ranking since 2021, moving up to world No. 13.
It’s clear the former world No. 1 has returned to her top form. She delivered a convincing performance to eliminate Muchova, who was a semifinalist in the two previous US Open editions.
Osaka will face American Amanda Anisimova, the current world No. 9, for a place in her fifth Grand Slam final. Anisimova is coming off a major upset against second seed Iga Swiatek, getting revenge for her loss in the Wimbledon final and ending Swiatek’s nine-match winning streak (with 18 victories over her last 19 matches).
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Osaka started the match on her serve and faced an immediate challenge, but she saved her first break point with strong first serves. She appeared more aggressive from the start, mixing winners and unforced errors. Muchova quickly found her rhythm, winning her first service game to love, and the players traded holds for the rest of the set.
At 4-4, the parity continued with neither player threatening on the return. Osaka fought through a difficult 15-30 and won several consecutive points, earning her first break points of the set in the tenth game. She capitalized on the opportunity, breaking Muchova at the end to win the set 6-4. Both players were highly effective with their first serves, with Muchova at 79% and Osaka at 78%. Muchova was seen touching her leg after the set and took a medical time-out.
