Czech tennis tyro Karolina Muchova closed Naomi Osaka's US Open sojourn in the second round as she won 6-3, 7-6(5) and reached the third round.
Muchova will now meet No. 38 Anastasia Potapova, who sent packing 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the first round and no. 199 American Varvara Lepchenko in the second round.
Osaka started the match in imperious form, holding her serve with little fuss. Muchova moved forward to the net on her very first serve of the match. Osaka had her first break serve opportunity in the third game as Muchova served at 1-2, but she did not realize it. Osaka did win her next service game without losing a point though.
As the first set wore on, Muchova broke Osaka's serve at 3-3 with a crafty net charge followed by a surprising drop shot. The confidence gained, Muchova held her serve to go ahead 5-3. After breaking Osaka's serve once more, Muchova took the first set 6-3.
In the second set, Muchova did great, hitting seven net points out of ten, 15 winners, and six aces. When the score was 3-3, Osaka was performing quite well as she hit three net points out of six, nine winners, and four aces.
Thenceforward, Osaka turned to be the more aggressive one and started hitting at 4-4 in the second set. At this stage, Muchova was serving; however, she committed two unforced errors on volleys and gave Osaka two break points. Osaka won the second of those chances and then served at 5-4.
Down 5-6, Osaka served strongly enough to force the set into a tiebreak. Muchova opened the tiebreak with a serve and volley. Osaka had some important and strong forehands to take a 4-2 lead first, then double-faulted. Muchova produced an amazing passing shot at 6-4 to get her first match point. Osaka saved it but could not prevent Muchova from earning the next point that won her the set 7-6(5) and, therefore, the match.
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