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US Open 2025: Naomi Osaka into first Grand Slam semi-final since 2021 with gritty win over Karolina Muchova - ‘My dream is coming true’

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Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka admitted her “dream is coming true” after beating Karolina Muchova to reach the US Open semi-finals. The 27-year-old hasn’t reached the last four of a Grand Slam in more than four years but looks like she is close to rediscovering her best form. Osaka will take on Amanda Anisimova for a place in her third US Open final.

'Tried to play every point as if it was the last' - Osaka credits her mentality after Muchova win

Video credit: SNTV

Naomi Osaka is back in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open after booking her spot in the last four of the US Open with a 6-4 7-6(3) victory over 11th seed Karolina Muchova.

The Japanese star came back to tennis in 2024 after taking a break in 2023 to have her first child but had, until now, been unable to go on a deep Grand Slam run during her return.

However, at the venue she has won twice at, the 27-year-old has been on inspired form, getting the better of Muchova to build on her thumping win over third-seed Coco Gauff in the previous round.

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"It's my first time in a semi now [since becoming a mother]," Osaka said. "I was sitting up there watching and hoping I could have the opportunity to play on this court again. This is like my dream is coming true."

Osaka saved a break point in her opening service game in what was a tight first set. The first nine games all went with serve before Osaka pounced with a break to take a one-set advantage.

Muchova had the chance to take the contest to a decider when she broke at 4-4 in the second to serve for the set but Osaka showed all her battling qualities, breaking back to love and dominating the tie-break to advance.

"I’m really inspired by all the mums on tour," Osaka continued. "But I also have this feeling like I’m not doing good enough or that I’m being left behind. And I think when all the mums came back and they did well off the bat, I sort of felt like something was wrong with me.

"I know that Belinda [Bencic] made the semis of Wimbledon, so I just really felt like I was losing a race in some sort of weird way.

"So yeah, that was on my mind, but now I’m here and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Osaka will face Amanda Anisimova next after the American beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets to get revenge for her 6-0 6-0 defeat to the Pole in the Wimbledon final.

Looking ahead to that encounter, Osaka said: "It’s definitely going to be really tough. I’ve played her twice and I’ve lost both times. She’s so talented and she’s able to hit a winner from anywhere.

"So, I know it’s going to be tough, and I really like her as a person too, so I’m cheering for her."

She added, smiling: "I’m not cheering for her against me, but yeah, it’s going to be fun. Plus, she’s American, and you know, this tournament means a lot to her as well."