Naomi Osaka is through to the US Open semi-finals for the first time since the birth of her daughter, after Karolina Muchova retired hurt during their quarter-final clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two-time champion led 6-4, 5-4 when Muchova, who had been struggling with a left leg injury, was forced to withdraw.
Osaka, a former world number one, had battled back from a break down in the second set to take control of the match. Muchova, the 11th seed, had called for a medical timeout after the first set and returned with her leg heavily strapped, but she was unable to sustain her challenge.
“I was just trying to hang in there and see if I got an opportunity,” Osaka said after the match. The Japanese star will now face Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in the last four, with the American enjoying a career resurgence of her own.
Osaka’s victory extends her remarkable record in grand slam quarter-finals, having won all four she has contested. She will be aiming to add a third US Open title to her collection, having previously triumphed in 2018 and 2020.
