Karolina Muchova Stuns Naomi Osaka in U.S. Open Upset

Karolina Muchova delivered a flawless performance to defeat Naomi Osaka in the U.S. Open's second round. Despite past injuries, Muchova showcased her best skills, setting up a meeting with Anastasia Potapova. Osaka, after returning from maternity leave, made crucial mistakes that cost her the match.

Karolina Muchova displayed an immaculate serve-and-volley game to eliminate two-time champion Naomi Osaka from the U.S. Open in a 6-3, 7-6(5) second-round triumph on Thursday. Returning from a 10-month hiatus due to a wrist injury, Muchova looked in top form at Arthur Ashe Stadium, earning a third-round spot against unseeded Russian Anastasia Potapova.

Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner from Japan who skipped last year's tournament due to maternity leave, shined in her initial round against 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko. However, crucial mistakes against Muchova proved fatal. "Honestly, this year the biggest win for me is that I could play again," shared Muchova, who rejoined the tour in June. "I'm really grateful that I'm able to play tennis."

The match began evenly until Muchova forced Osaka into a backhand error in the seventh game, breaking her serve again in the ninth. Muchova appeared to dominate with an easy hold at the start of the second set, but Osaka fought back, defending three break points in the following game.

In the ninth game of the second set, Osaka broke Muchova with a powerful forehand, electrifying the crowd and taking a 40-0 lead in the subsequent game. Yet, as her forehand faltered, she let the match slip away, the former world number one frustratedly throwing her racquet upon missing a crucial point.

Despite limited match play in 2024 due to wrist surgery, Muchova was sharp in the tiebreak, clinching the match with two unreturnable serves before Osaka committed an error on the second match point.

(With inputs from agencies.)