Karolina Muchova on facing Aryna Sabalenka: “Grateful for the opportunity to challenge the best”

Karolina Muchova continues her incredible form at the China Open and is preparing to face Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. The Czech player holds a 16-4 record in 2024, and despite playing only a handful of tournaments this season, she has reached World No. 41 in the live rankings.

After a strong 2023, where she reached the final of the French Open and the semifinals at the US Open, an injury forced Muchova to end her season early. She only returned to competition at the end of June this year after an 8-month break.

The Czech has impressed fans with her stellar play, winning 9 of her last 10 matches, with her only loss coming against Jessica Pegula at Flushing Meadows. In Beijing, she is preparing to challenge Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and recent US Open champion. "It's going to be nice to get that challenge and see again, to compare my game to hers," Muchova told WTA Insider after defeating Cristina Bucsa. "It's what tennis is about. Where do you get more learning experience than when you challenge the best? So I'm really grateful for that opportunity."

The 28-year-old Czech has secured victories over Anna Blinkova, Yue Yuan (30th seed), Jaqueline Cristian, and Cristina Bucsa. Along the way, she has only dropped 12 games, averaging 3 games per match. "I think the US Open helped me a lot," Muchova said. "I had good matches, had to get through some tough battles as well."

"I had a practice set there before the tournament with Iga [Swiatek] that really helped me a lot, to see how I could do and deal. Then, once you get a few matches under your belt, it always helps with confidence. Then with my wrist, I felt I could play freely again and swing fully. I'm glad I picked it up that fast."

Muchova's comeback was remarkable from the start, as she reached the final at the Palermo Open in just her third tournament, although she lost to top seed Zheng Qinwen. "I'm probably a little bit used to it because I've had a lot of these breaks in the past," Muchova said.

"I'm used to not playing and then getting back into it. But I really don't know. I'm happy it's going how it's going. When I started in Eastbourne, I honestly didn't know what my level was. At Wimbledon, I felt I still wasn't there. When I practiced with the girls, they played faster," she added. "But I picked it up pretty fast. Deep down, I knew I had the level."