Naomi Osaka keeps her Grand Slam momentum rolling: Dispatches Karolina Muchova and charges into US Open semifinals

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).

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.

Muchova returned to the court and immediately took a quick lead, breaking Osaka with a couple of unforced errors from the Japanese player. However, the two-time US Open champion didn't lose focus and broke back immediately in a highly entertaining start to the set. Muchova tried to counter Osaka's aggression with slices to avoid her dominance from the baseline.

The players continued to hold their serves, with Osaka's first serve efficiency at 80% but her second serve effectiveness at just 18%. Muchova seemed physically recovered and held her own. The score reached 4-4 without any more breaks. At that point, Muchova took advantage of the pressure, earned a couple of break chances, and capitalized on an Osaka backhand error. The 29-year-old Czech took the lead and served for the set, but Osaka remained focused on the match and recovered with a decisive break to love. After a tight service game from Osaka—and a flawless one from Muchova—the set was decided in a tie-break. It was there that the Japanese player's experience shone through, securing the victory in straight sets with a final score of 6-4, 7-6(2).

There's a surprise semifinal waiting in Flushing Meadows. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has been eliminated from the US Open quarterfinals by Amanda Anisimova. The American got her revenge for the Wimbledon final, where the Pole delivered a historic double bagel, and sent Świątek packing in straight sets.

This is the third time Anisimova has reached a major semifinal, and she'll be looking for back-to-back finals when she faces Osaka. The Japanese star has a perfect record in Grand Slam semifinals (4-0), though she has lost in both of her previous meetings against Anisimova, both of which were in 2022.