Naomi Osaka displayed remarkable composure during her US Open quarterfinal match against Karolína Muchová, successfully overcoming every challenge and winning in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(3). With this victory, Osaka secured her place in the semifinals, where she is set to face No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova.
Muchová, the No. 11 seed from the Czech Republic, was eager to reach her third consecutive US Open semifinal but faced an uphill battle against Osaka, who was making her first major quarterfinal appearance since winning the Australian Open in 2021. Osaka, a former world No. 1, had recently triumphed over No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in a straight-sets match.
The first set saw both players demonstrating excellent serve performance, with Osaka landing 60% of her first serves and Muchová achieving a remarkable 83%. The players exchanged service games until Osaka took the lead at 5-4. She earned three set-point opportunities, but Muchová fended off the first with a well-placed ace. However, a long return from Muchová allowed Osaka to claim the opening set.
After a brief respite, Muchová returned to the court with her left thigh wrapped, showing signs of a struggle. Despite her efforts, Osaka capitalized on her opponent’s limitations, using powerful serves and precise groundstrokes to gain a 2-1 lead in the second set. Muchová persisted, showcasing her talent and abilities, yet Osaka continued to put pressure on her, breaking back after being momentarily down.
At a critical moment, with both players at a 5-5 tie in the second set, Osaka saved two break points on her serve. Keeping her focus, she eventually took the set to a tiebreaker, where her experience shone through, allowing her to close out the match and maintain her perfect record of winning Grand Slam tournaments after reaching the quarterfinals.
Osaka’s journey back to competitive tennis has not been easy. After taking a year off in 2023 to give birth, she is now aiming to reclaim her former glory. With her seeded placement at this year’s US Open giving her a favorable draw, she has capitalized on this opportunity.
In another notable matchup, Amanda Anisimova faced Iga Świątek in a highly anticipated rematch. Anisimova, who was the eighth seed, had experienced a crushing defeat to Świątek at the Wimbledon final just a few months back. However, this time, she put on an impressive performance, winning 6-4, 6-3 and progressing to her first US Open semifinal.
Anisimova’s victory marked her third career win against a top-five player in a major tournament. She displayed resilience and skill, staying consistent and forcing errors from Świątek throughout the match. Although Świątek started strong in the second set, Anisimova quickly responded, tying the score and eventually taking control.
The Polish player’s performance faltered as she committed multiple unforced errors, allowing Anisimova to wrap up the match with confidence. This victory not only solidifies Anisimova’s status as a rising star but also puts her on track for her third Grand Slam semifinal.
Meanwhile, in the doubles competition, Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniaková secured their place in the US Open women’s doubles final after a hard-fought match against Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens, winning 6-3, 7-6(3). Despite the challenges, the top-ranked duo remains a formidable force and aims to claim the championship title.
Townsend previously faced difficult moments in her singles run but has rebounded admirably in doubles. This upcoming final marks her second appearance in a US Open doubles championship, looking to achieve the title this time after their loss in 2022.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly awaiting the semifinals, where the excitement grows with each match. With players like Osaka and Anisimova showcasing their talent, this year’s US Open continues to prove thrilling, bringing notable performances to the forefront of women’s tennis.
