NEW YORK (AP) — When Naomi Osaka reaches the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, she becomes a formidable force.
However, the journey to get there has often been her greatest hurdle.
Currently, Osaka seems to be regaining her prime form, set to face Karolina Muchova at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, vying for a place in the semifinals.
It marks the first time Osaka—previously ranked No. 1 and now seeded at No. 23—has progressed this far in a Grand Slam since the Australian Open in early 2021, also the last occasion she clinched a Slam trophy.
At just 27, Osaka has a remarkable track record, having won every Grand Slam title when she has advanced beyond the fourth round, achieving that milestone with a commanding victory over No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, finishing 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour.
“She looks so at ease out there… Her game forced me to play at my best today,” remarked Gauff. “Regardless of her current form, she’s always a formidable opponent, especially on hard courts.”
As a four-time Grand Slam champion, all on hard courts—victorious in New York in 2018 and 2020, as well as twice in Melbourne—Osaka boasts an unblemished record of 12-0 in quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
When asked about her flawless win record, Osaka responded, “It neither pressures me nor boosts my confidence. This feels like uncharted territory for me at this point in my career. I’m simply enjoying the moment and having fun playing against the world’s best.”
In 2021, during the French Open, Osaka opened up about battling anxiety and depression, subsequently taking several mental health breaks. Following a 17-month maternity leave after welcoming her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, Osaka returned to the sport.
Two months later, at the U.S. Open, she was a spectator in Arthur Ashe Stadium, witnessing Gauff’s triumph over Muchova in the semifinals on her way to securing the title.
The 11th-seeded Muchova, a 29-year-old from the Czech Republic, is known for her creative playstyle. She reached the finals at the French Open in 2023 and has consistently made it to the Flushing Meadows semifinals for the last two years, having eliminated Osaka in the second round in 2024.
“She’s an exceptional player who’s clearly regained her form, as evidenced by her results,” Muchova stated, reflecting on their practice session at the venue. “I’m expecting a tough match; it’s going to be quite the challenge.”
As for Osaka’s resurgence, Muchova believes her recent success stems from finding a rhythm through competition.
Armed with a powerful serve and forehand, Osaka has stirred up competition over the last year and a half but has fallen short at crucial moments, such as holding a match point in a gripping encounter against Swiatek at Roland-Garros in 2024.
“The main difference now is that she has more matches under her belt and is accumulating wins. I feel she’s regained the belief that she can be the best and is trusting her shots more,” Muchova added. “She’s playing incredibly well.”
