Osaka advances to US Open semifinal against Anisimova

Naomi Osaka advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday night, defeating 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in a match that combined tactical patience, a medical stoppage and moments of raw emotion. The victory sends the two-time U.S. Open champion into a Thursday night semifinal against No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova and marks Osaka's first major semifinal since she gave birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.

Osaka, the former world No. 1 ranked 23rd at the tournament, steadied herself early as both players served well in the opening games. She broke Muchova in the 10th game to take the first set, only for the Czech to call for a medical timeout at the changeover. Muchova said she had "stepped like a little wrong" and felt an issue with a muscle, and she returned with a wrap around her left leg that visibly limited her mobility.

The injured Muchova produced a spirited response, breaking Osaka to open the second set and pressuring the former champion with quick hands at the net. Osaka admitted afterward that she was "just trying to hang in there and see if I got an opportunity" and described playing each point as if it were "the last point...