Naomi Osaka has secured her place in the US Open semi-final for the first time since 2020 following a gruelling victory over Karolina Muchova, struggling to contain her emotions as the significance of the moment hit home. Osaka triumphed over Muchova 6-4, 7-6 as she sealed her remarkable display with a commanding tiebreak.
She will now face No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova in Thursday’s semi-final. Anisimova had earlier shocked Iga Swiatek, claiming victory in straight sets. Following her Australian Open triumph in 2021, Osaka has struggled to mount a serious challenge at a Grand Slam and stepped away from tennis two years ago.
When Osaka left the sport in 2023, she was present at the US Open and witnessed Coco Gauff become a national sensation.
Osaka looked visibly moved following the match and pondered the poetic nature of her return. She was eager to taste that level of achievement once more and now stands just two victories away from a fifth career Grand Slam.
“I was sitting up there, watching and hoping that I could have the opportunity to play on this court again,” Osaka said during her on-court interview. “So, yeah. This is like my dream is coming true.”
Osaka is delivering her finest tennis since January 2021, when she captured the Australian Open months after securing her second US Open crown.
She has already knocked out Gauff, the No. 3 seed, and dominated No. 11 seed Muchova. Whilst there remains considerable ground to cover, Osaka maintains a flawless record in the business end of major tournaments.
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But when asked about that record and why she comes alive at this stage of tournaments, she refused to answer the question.
“I can’t really answer you because it’s been a while since I’ve been in this position,” she explained. “You play the best players in the world towards the end of a slam. We’re all hoping to achieve the same thing. It’s kind of like boxing, but with a tennis ball.”
Throughout her career, she has claimed victory every single time she has progressed to the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam. Nevertheless, Osaka hasn’t enjoyed a final appearance in four years, meaning she’s refusing to take anything for granted.
Following her emphatic triumph, Osaka reflected on her record: “Honestly, I wouldn’t say it gives me pressure or confidence.
“I think for me, you know, this is kind of uncharted territory at this point of my career. I don’t know. I’m just enjoying it. I’m having fun. I’m being able to play against the best players in the world.
“If you were to ask me what was the most exciting thing from today, I think it’s that I don’t need a wild card to enter tournaments anymore. I think I’ll be seeded in, like, the Indian Wells, Miami type of tournaments, so that’s what I’m happy about.”
Osaka has already secured her position within the top 15 when the rankings receive their next update, and she could ascend further should she reach the final.
However, Anisimova also has a point to prove.
The American reached her maiden Grand Slam final earlier this year, but suffered a devastating 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Swiatek.
It marked the most lopsided Wimbledon final in history, though she secured her revenge over Swiatek on Wednesday.
Anisimova will be determined to overcome Osaka and secure her return to a major final.
In the women’s final, scheduled for September 6, either Osaka or Anisimova will face Jessica Pegula or Aryna Sabalenka.
This article first appeared on Mirror US.