Naomi Osaka surged into the U.S. Open semifinals with a commanding 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory over Karolina Muchova, marking her first return to this stage since claiming the title in 2020 .
The 23rd-seeded Osaka maintained her flawless Grand Slam quarterfinal record, improving to 5-0 — a streak that has consistently propelled her onward to tournament titles . Reflecting on her journey, Osaka shared in her on-court interview, “It means so much. I’m actually surprised I’m not crying… it’s been so much hard work that you guys haven’t seen. I’m just grateful to my team and happy to be healthy.”
Her opponent, Muchova, battled through physical adversity. The Czech star had spent over 10 hours on court in her previous rounds and was contending with a leg issue that required medical attention. Despite the odds, she led 5-4 in the second set, showcasing her creative flair before Osaka seized control and dominated the tiebreaker .
Osaka lauded her rival’s resilience, calling Muchova “one of the world’s best,” and noted their past encounter. “Last year she beat me when I had one of my best outfits. I was really upset,” she recalled with a touch of humor .
Adding a vivid metaphor for her renewed passion, Osaka likened her tennis comeback to a video game—a challenge she is now embracing .
Next up for Osaka is a semifinals showdown with No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova, who stunned Iga Swiatek earlier in the day . Recognizing the challenge ahead, Osaka acknowledged Anisimova’s unpredictable style and recent form, stating she expects another tough battle .
