Naomi Osaka defeats Karolina Muchova to reach first semifinal since becoming a mother

Naomi Osaka continued her remarkable comeback story at the US Open, extending her unbeaten record in Grand Slam quarterfinals to 5-0 with a straight-sets victory over No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova on Wednesday night.

The two-time US Open champion sealed a 6-4, 7-6(3) win under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to her third semifinal in New York and fifth overall at a major.

The atmosphere was electric as Osaka delivered a flurry of winners, showcasing her trademark power and composure. Her return to the last four in New York is especially significant, marking the first time she has reached this stage since becoming a mother.

“I’m really inspired by all the moms on tour,” Osaka admitted after the match. “But I also had doubts, like I wasn’t doing enough compared to others. Seeing players like Belinda [Bencic] succeed so quickly made me feel like I was falling behind. Now, reaching this point feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Osaka has now joined Chris Evert and Aryna Sabalenka as the only women in the Open Era to win their first five Grand Slam quarterfinals. Her next challenge will be Amanda Anisimova, who holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against the Japanese star.

“Playing Amanda will be really tough,” Osaka said. “She’s so talented and can hit winners from anywhere. I’ve lost to her before, but this time I’m ready.”

A potential spot in the US Open final now awaits as Osaka chases a third crown in New York.