Naomi Osaka defeated Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3) to reach the US Open semifinals on Wednesday, underscoring her resurgence on the biggest stage of the sport.
The Japanese 23rd seed, who returned last season after a lengthy maternity break, extended her unbeaten streak to 5-0 and secured a Friday meeting with Amanda Anisimova. Four years later, she won the final of her four major titles.
It means a lot, I say. Osaka, who was only watching the semifinals from the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago, said, “I’m surprised I’m not crying.”
You guys haven’t seen the amount of hard work you guys have put in, so I was sitting there watching and hoping I would have the opportunity to play on this court once more.
I simply want to thank my team. I’m hoping you’ll watch my next round.
After dropping a tight opening set, Muchova, who had been on the court for more than 10 hours over four exhausting rounds, dropped a tight opening set before coming out firing with a break at the start of the next set. She received treatment in the locker room for an apparent left leg issue.
She had a few awkward movements while having heavy compression on her thigh, but she continued to annoy her rival with her creative style of tennis, winning 5-4 before Osaka won the game and reclaim the lead after the tiebreak.
It was a very challenging match, Osaka continued.
She is “one of the world’s best players.” It’s very challenging every time I play against her.
She beat me last year with one of my best outfits. I was very upset. Simply put, I’m appreciative of being here.
Anisimova avenges her embarrassment at Wimbledon.
In a move that was unprecedented, Anisimova eliminated second seed Iga Swiatek from the US Open with a 6-4, 6-3 victory, reversing her most brutal defeat of the Grand Slam history.
The American eighth seed, who lost to Swiatek in the Wimbledon final less than two months ago, won 67 of 121 points to complete the turnaround on Arthur Ashe Stadium in 96 minutes.
In her on-court interview, Anisimova remarked, “Playing here is so freaking special.” “I’ve been living here for the rest of my life,” I said today. I’m capable of doing it.
The 24-year-old’s transition from July’s agony to Wednesday’s triumph exemplifies tennis’s potential for redemption.
Anisimova admitted she was “slow as hell” in the Wimbledon final but approached this rematch with a fresh perspective after watching the painful footage on Tuesday night.
She told reporters, “This is unquestionably the most meaningful victory I’ve ever had.” I really didn’t have a single thing of fear when I went out there; instead, I was just moving and attempting to get myself moving.
Swiatek acknowledged that the aggressiveness of her foe’s return strategy was decisive.
The six-time Grand Slam champion told reporters, “I couldn’t win today’s match playing like that, serving like that, and with Amanda being so aggressive on the returns.”
Swiatek’s bid for a seventh Grand Slam title and second US Open crown in the quarterfinals for the second straight year came to an end with just two breaks from four chances, while the American dominated on the return, dominating four of the nine break opportunities.
The American’s transformation from a devastating Wimbledon defeat to a US Open triumph serves as a powerful reminder that the best comebacks frequently occur after the most crushing defeats.
Source: Aljazeera
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