Naomi Osaka masters Karolina Muchova in US Open rematch for semifinal berth

NEW YORK—Revenge is not only sweet, it also means a US Open semifinal for Naomi Osaka, the two-time champion avenging a 2024 defeat to Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 7-6 (3) for her best Grand Slam finish in nearly five years.

A former world No. 1, Osaka lost to Muchova in the second round of this very tournament 12 months ago. After winning their initial rematch at the Australian Open in January, the No. 23 seed scored her biggest major win since the 2021 Australian Open in one hour and 49 minutes over the No. 11 seed on Arthur Ashe Stadium Wednesday evening.

"I learned I loved tennis way more than I thought I did," Osaka said after the match, "and I learned that, you know, I actually really love challenges. You know, it's like a video game. You pick it up, and even if you lose a level, you kind of just restart and keep going until you eventually win. I think it's a little tough at some times, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Osaka improved to 13-0 past the quarterfinal stage at major tournaments and will face Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova—who avenged her SW19 loss to No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek—for her fifth career Grand Slam final on Thursday.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has been in the midst of a summer renaissance since hiring coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, reaching her first WTA 1000 final since 2022 at the Omnium Banque Nationale and clinching her first Grand Slam seed since becoming a mother in 2023.

The 27-year-old Osaka lost just one set through the first week and kicked off the second with a statement victory over No. 3 seed Coco Gauff to book the Muchova rematch in the last eight.

Muchova came to Flushing Meadows in hot pursuit of a third straight US Open semifinal, having navigated injuries to once again play her best tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Where Osaka—flanked by a growing army of Labubus—cruised, Muchova battled. The Czech veteran needed to win four three-set matches—including one over a 45-year-old Venus Williams in the first round—to book a sixth career major quarterfinal.

With their five-year rivalry split at two wins apiece, Osaka began the match in confident fashion, serving her way to a 5-4 lead and clinching the first break of the match to claim the opening set in just over 40 minutes.

Muchova left the court for a medical timeout but nonetheless gained momentum by breaking serve to open the second set. Osaka responded with aplomb, hitting through the Czech’s famed cat-and-mouse craft to break straight back and hold serve with her 16th winner of the match.

Muchova dug out of a 15-30 deficit in the eighth game and found an opening of her own, increasingly matching Osaka’s weight of shot. Osaka saved one break point with a forehand winner but narrowly missed a backhand on the second, giving Muchova the chance to serve out the set.

Osaka dialed back in on the brink of a decider, claiming a love-break for 5-5 as the match ticked towards the 90-minute mark. The two-time US Open champ saved two more break points and continued hitting through Muchova to edge into a 6-5 advantage, one game from the semifinals.

Muchova employed every bit of her all-court game to force a tiebreaker, but Osaka nabbed the first mini-break of the ensuing Sudden Death and led 4-2 at the first change of ends.

Osaka forced another error from Muchova to earn a second mini-break and put the match on her racquet. The Japanese star let out a loud "Come on!" as Muchova netted a forehand for four match points. A hushed silence fell over Ashe as Muchova saved one match point but Osaka converted the second, outrallying her rival to clinch her spot in the semifinals.

Osaka will next look to score her first career victory over Anisimova, having lost back-to-back Grand Slam matches to the No. 8 seed at the 2022 Australian Open and Roland Garros.