US Open: Osaka powers past Muchova, Anisimova stuns Swiatek to reach semis.
Naomi Osaka returned to the Grand Slam spotlight on Wednesday, defeating Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time since 2020. She will be joined by Amanda Anisimova, who produced the shock of the tournament by toppling world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
Muchova, seeded 11th, was chasing a third consecutive semi-final in New York but struggled physically after a long tournament run. Osaka, the 23rd seed, held firm in key moments — saving break points with clean winners and sealing the opening set with composed play. Though Muchova fought back in the second, even breaking serve, Osaka immediately responded and took charge in the tie-break to close out victory.
“It feels incredible to be back in the semi-finals here,” said Osaka, who has rediscovered form after years of struggles. “I just focused on my serve and tried to take my chances.”
In the day’s other quarter-final, 23-year-old Anisimova stunned Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 to avenge her crushing 6-0, 6-0 loss to the Pole in the Wimbledon final two months ago. Playing with freedom, the American struck boldly from the baseline, converting four of nine break points and winning 71% of first-serve points. Swiatek never found rhythm, double-faulting three times and dropping serve on four occasions.
“To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special,” said Anisimova. “I worked so hard to turn things around, and today proved I can do it.”
Swiatek, bidding for her seventh major title, admitted she had been outplayed: “Amanda was very aggressive on returns. I couldn’t win today playing like that.”
With Osaka resurgent and Anisimova riding a wave of confidence, the US Open women’s draw has been thrown wide open.
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