Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka says her “dream is coming true” after booking a spot in the semi-finals in New York with a straight-sets win over Karolina Muchova.
The 27-year-old from Japan, playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final since winning the 2021 Australian Open, held her nerve to defeat the Czech 11th seed 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka’s return to the final four of a major marks another significant milestone in her comeback, having taken a 14-month break around the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
She will now face American Amanda Anisimova, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Iga Swiatek, avenging her heavy defeat in this summer’s Wimbledon final.
A win over Anisimova would see Osaka become the first woman to reach a Grand Slam final as a mother since Victoria Azarenka’s run to the 2020 US Open final — which Osaka went on to win.
If she lifts the trophy this year, she would follow in the footsteps of Kim Clijsters, who won three majors post-motherhood between 2009 and 2011.
After a slow start, Osaka broke Muchova at 5-4 in the first set, converting her second set point after going 0-40 up.
The victory continues her strong run of form since parting ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou in July.
