Naomi Osaka’s comeback story in tennis has not been easy. Since her return, she often faced very tough Grand Slam draws as an unseeded player. That challenge has frustrated her, but this time, things are different. After reaching the final in Montreal in July, Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal seeded at a major for the first time since her return. Now, she is back in a Grand Slam semifinal.
On Wednesday night, the two-time US Open champion defeated No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3). With this win, Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal in her career, and it’s her third in New York.
This achievement carries special meaning because Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal since becoming a mother.
Osaka’s Journey Back to the Top
Osaka admitted that she sometimes felt like she was falling behind compared to other mothers on tour. “I’m really inspired by all the moms,” she said after the match. “But I often felt like I wasn’t good enough. When other moms came back and did well right away, I thought something was wrong with me. Belinda Bencic reached the Wimbledon semifinals, and I felt like I was losing a race.”
Now, with Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal, she says that a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
Her performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium showed her determination. She fired winner after winner, proving she had something to show the world. The crowd cheered her on, and she delivered.
The opening set was tight, with both players holding serve for the first nine games. The only early scare came in the first game, when Muchova earned a break point. Osaka erased it with a forehand winner, a shot she used successfully all night.
At 5-4, Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal spot by breaking Muchova’s serve to seal the first set. Muchova, who had reached the semifinals at the US Open in the last two years, made rare errors at that moment, and Osaka took advantage.
After the match, Osaka compared the late stages of Grand Slams to boxing, “but with a tennis ball, obviously.”
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A Battle of Strength and Nerves
The second set tested Osaka’s strength and focus. After a medical timeout between sets, Muchova returned with energy and broke Osaka’s serve to start the set. That ended Osaka’s streak of 18 straight service holds.
But Osaka showed her champion’s mentality, breaking back immediately. Later, Muchova broke again at 4-4, giving herself a chance to serve for the set. Osaka responded with a crushing forehand smash, breaking at love and swinging the momentum back in her favor.
At that stage, Osaka admitted she didn’t even remember what was going through her mind. “I honestly don’t even remember it,” she said. “She’s one of the toughest players I play against. She’s beaten me before, including here last year, so I knew it would be tough.”
Both players held serve to force a tiebreak. Osaka started strong, quickly jumping to a 6-2 lead. Two points later, Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal with a confident finish.
With this victory, Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal in style, joining Chris Evert and Aryna Sabalenka as the only women in the Open era to win their first five Grand Slam quarterfinals.
What’s Next for Osaka
Now, Osaka will face American Amanda Anisimova in the semifinal. Anisimova has a 2-0 record against Osaka, with both wins coming at Grand Slams in 2022, first at the Australian Open and later at Roland Garros.
Osaka knows the challenge ahead. “It’s definitely going to be really tough,” she said. “I’ve played her twice and lost both times. She’s so talented and can hit winners from anywhere. I really like her as a person too, so I’m cheering for her.” Then she smiled and added, “Not against me, of course. But it’s going to be fun. She’s American, and this tournament means a lot to her.”
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula. Both matches promise high drama as the women battle for a place in the final.
For fans, seeing Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal is more than just a sporting moment. It shows her resilience, her growth as a player, and her strength as a mother. She has returned to the top of tennis, proving that Naomi Osaka Reaches Her 5th Grand Slam semifinal not just as a statistic, but as a statement of courage.
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