US Open: Karolína Muchová knocks out Naomi Osaka in second round after thriller
Karolna Muchová knocked out Naomi Osaka in the second round of the US Open as she beat the two-time champion by 6-3, 7-6 (5) at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, August 30.
Muchová broke no sweat in the first game breaking Osaka quite early to take a lead. However, the Japanese player brought her ‘A game’ to the fore in the second set and didn’t give an inch to her opponent fighting tooth and nail to claw her way back into the match.
The capacity crowd was left gasping for breath witnessing an extraordinary passage of play in the second set where both players were in a neck-to-neck battle. With Osaka showing her class, Muchová fought back bravely as she saved three set points to stay ahead. The game was forced into a tiebreak with both players level on 6-6, where Muchová emerged victorious by 7-5 after an intense battle ending Osaka’s journey in the competition.
Following her win, the Czech Republic star was seen elated at the court thanking the crowd for their energy.
“Just look around, this is unbelievable, the atmosphere and the people, it’s crazy energy and I really like that. So I’m happy I performed the way I did today and it’s crazy,” Muchová told Nick Kyrgios on court.
Muchová delighted to play again after wrist surgery
The 28-year-old underwent wrist surgery earlier this year and couldn’t pick up a racquet for months. Further speaking ahead, Muchova called the victory her biggest win of the year and expressed delight at the fact that she was playing again.
“Honestly, this year the biggest win for me is that I’m able to play again and I’m really grateful that I’m able to play tennis and that I made it here. This is just cherry on top to be here again. This stadium is crazy,” she added.
The Olomouc-born player managed to reach the semi-final of the US Open 2023 but lost to the eventual champion Coco Gauff. She will be eager to progress further ahead in the competition as she next faces Anastasia Potapova of Russia in the third round on Saturday.