Naomi Osaka Shines Again, Reaches US Open Semifinals
Naomi Osaka has made her way back into the spotlight at the US Open, and the way she did it has everyone talking. On Wednesday night, she faced Karolína Muchová in a tough quarterfinal match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the challenges Muchová threw at her, Osaka stayed calm, held her ground, and came out on top in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6. With this win, she not only advanced to the semifinals but also reminded fans why she’s been one of the sport’s most captivating champions.
This semifinal run is particularly special because it’s Osaka’s first deep push in a Grand Slam since giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in 2023. For a player who once stepped away from the game to focus on her mental health and later on her family, this moment feels like a triumphant return. She had been absent from the later stages of major tournaments for years, but now, she’s showing once again the resilience and brilliance that won her four Grand Slam titles earlier in her career.
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Against Muchová, Osaka showed why she’s so dangerous on hard courts. Both players served well early on, but when the set was hanging in the balance, Osaka raised her level. She secured the first set after capitalizing on a crucial break point, handling the pressure with the composure of a seasoned champion. In the second set, Muchová tried to fight back, even taking a medical timeout for her leg before returning with heavy strapping. She pushed Osaka with sharp volleys and creative play, even breaking serve at one point. But every time Muchová looked like she might take control, Osaka found an answer.
When the second set reached a tiebreaker, Osaka’s focus sharpened. She raced ahead and never looked back, sealing the match with a mix of power and precision. The win means Osaka has kept an impressive streak alive—she has never lost after reaching the quarterfinal stage of a Grand Slam.
Now, her next test is Amanda Anisimova, the American who shocked Iga Świątek earlier in the day. Anisimova’s win over the world No. 2 was a statement in itself, especially after losing so badly to her just a couple of months ago at Wimbledon. That semifinal clash sets up an intriguing battle: Osaka, the comeback star chasing another title, versus Anisimova, the rising American hungry for her first Grand Slam final.
For Osaka, though, this run is about more than just tennis. It’s about reclaiming her place in the sport she once dominated, proving to herself and to the world that she still belongs at the very top. When she looked up at the crowd after her win, she admitted it felt like a dream to be back on that stage. And now, with the semifinals ahead, that dream is still very much alive.
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