Unseeded Karolina Muchova returns to U.S. Open semifinals

Unseeded Karolina Muchova advanced to her second consecutive U.S. Open semifinal, defeating No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil 6-1, 6-4 in New York.

The Czech needed just one hour, 25 minutes in the win.

In the semifinal, Muchova will meet the winner of the Wednesday’s later match between No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 6 Jessica Pegula. And she will hope for top health. In the second set against Haddad Maia, Muchova took multiple breaks for unspecified medical treatment and bathroom visits.

“A little weird match, I have to say,” Muchova said in her on-court interview. “I had a lot of problems, I wouldn’t like to comment on it. I’m happy I managed it.”

After the 2023 semifinals, she underwent wrist surgery and didn’t return to play until June.

Muchova, 28, moved to 4-0 in her career against the Brazilian. She has one appearance in a Grand Slam final, losing to Swiatek at the French Open in three sets in 2023.

Muchova, who ousted four-time major champion Naomi Osaka of Japan and No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy in earlier rounds, has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

She won the first five games of Wednesday’s quarterfinal.

–Field Level Media