Naomi Osaka Eliminated by Karolina Muchova in US Open Second Round

In an unexpected turn during her US Open match, Naomi Osaka appeared poised to push for a third set, but faltered dramatically. After reaching a crucial point, she struggled significantly, mishitting forehands and eventually losing her composure, throwing her racket onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The disappointing night ended with Osaka being eliminated from the tournament by Karolina Muchova, who won the match 6-3, 7-6 (5). This was a surprising development for Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, now ranked No. 88 after taking nearly a year and a half away from the game for mental health reasons and the birth of her child.

Osaka’s performance was rocky from the start, dropping five consecutive games and losing 22 of 26 points at one point. Despite these challenges, she found her rhythm in the second set. Gaining her only break at 5-4, she expressed her excitement with a loud “Come on!” when Muchova hit a forehand into the net, energizing the audience.

As she served for the second set, Osaka hit a booming 119 mph ace, her fastest of the match, and held three set-point opportunities. Unfortunately, she faltered at this critical juncture, making five forehand errors along with a double fault, ultimately allowing Muchova to break her serve.

In the decisive tiebreaker, Muchova tightened her game, rallying to win as Osaka sent a swinging volley long after a scramble for the ball. Muchova, reflecting on the atmosphere, remarked, “This is unbelievable — the atmosphere and the people. This is crazy energy.” The 28-year-old from the Czech Republic had an impressive 2023 season, reaching the final at the French Open and the semifinals at the US Open before withdrawing from the tour due to a right wrist injury that required surgery.

After returning to competition in June following her surgery, Muchova stated, “Honestly, this year, the biggest win for me is that I could play again. This is just a cherry on top, to be here again, in this stadium.” On a cooler evening where temperatures dropped from the previous day’s highs, she played like a top player, despite her current ranking of No. 52.

Osaka, seeking to regain her form, was seen jotting down notes during changeovers. However, she struggled to find control throughout the match. In her previous match against Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, Osaka had displayed exceptional skill, not committing a single unforced error until the second set. That match marked her first victory over a top-10 opponent in over four years.

While Osaka had moments of brilliance in the earlier match, her performance against Muchova fell short. Conversely, Muchova excelled in various aspects of her game, effectively mixing slice shots and overpowering serves. She executed the serve-and-volley strategy seven times, winning six of those points, and consistently found her spots well. Her total of 20 serve-and-volley attempts in the tournament significantly outpaced other players.

From the start of the match, when Osaka established a brief lead, Muchova quickly seized control, making it difficult for Osaka to regain momentum. Despite her earlier efforts to rally the crowd in her favor, Osaka’s forehand betrayals became a painful turning point.

As her journey in the tournament came to an end, Osaka’s ongoing challenges were evident. The night underscored the tough road ahead as she strives to reclaim her place in the competitive landscape of women’s tennis.