Photo credit: Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka has always thrived under bright lights. Four Grand Slam titles, two of them at the US Open, prove as much. But this time, the stakes felt different. This was not just a return to winning—it was a return to belonging.

Since stepping back onto the tour after maternity leave, Osaka has faced a relentless challenge: stacked Grand Slam draws without the cushion of a seeding. It was a recurring obstacle that left her frustrated and, at times, questioning herself. But after her run to the final in Montreal this summer, she arrived in New York with a number next to her name again—and now, that small detail has paved the way to something big.

On Wednesday night, under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Osaka defeated No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3) to reach her third US Open semifinal and fifth major semifinal overall. This one, though, carries a significance that goes beyond the scoreline: it’s her first Grand Slam semifinal as a mother.

“I’m really inspired by all the moms on tour,” Osaka admitted after the match. “But I also have this feeling like I’m not doing good enough or that I’m being left behind. When other moms came back and did well right away, I felt like something was wrong with me. I know Belinda [Bencic] made the semis at Wimbledon, so I felt like I was losing a race in some weird way. But now I’m here, and I feel like a weight has been lifted.”

Watching her unleash forehand after forehand in front of a roaring crowd, it was clear Osaka wasn’t just playing for a semifinal spot—she was playing to silence the doubts.

A Statement Performance Under Pressure

The opening set told the story of two players refusing to blink. Both held serve through the first nine games, with the only break point coming in the opening game—Muchova threatening early before Osaka erased it with a forehand winner, the first of many. Then, almost out of nowhere, Osaka seized her chance. Serving at 4-5, Muchova strung together a trio of errors, handing Osaka the set.

Muchova, a two-time US Open semifinalist herself, wasn’t going quietly. After an off-court visit with the physio, she broke Osaka to start the second set—snapping the Japanese star’s streak of 18 consecutive service holds. But Osaka responded like a champion, breaking right back.

When Muchova broke again at 4-all and prepared to serve for the set, Osaka’s answer was emphatic: a forehand smash winner to break at love. From there, the momentum belonged to Osaka.
“I honestly don’t even remember what was going through my mind,” Osaka said later. “She’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever faced. She beat me here last year, so I knew this was going to be tough.”

After saving two break points late, Osaka forced a tiebreak and sprinted to a 6-2 lead. Two points later, she closed it out—arms raised, a smile breaking through the tension.

History and the Road Ahead

Osaka joins elite company with this victory. Among players who began their careers in the Open era, she becomes the third woman—alongside Chris Evert and Aryna Sabalenka—to win each of her first five Grand Slam quarterfinals.

Now, the next challenge comes in the form of Amanda Anisimova. The 23-year-old American holds a 2-0 record against Osaka, with both wins coming at majors in 2022.

“It’s definitely going to be really tough,” Osaka said, acknowledging the history. “She’s so talented and can hit a winner from anywhere. I like her a lot as a person, too, so I’m cheering for her—but not against me, obviously.”

Osaka grinned as she added: “She’s American, and this tournament means a lot to her as well, so it’s going to be fun.”
For Osaka, this semifinal isn’t just about another deep run—it’s about proving something to herself. About reclaiming the belief that slipped away in the quiet moments of doubt. And as the noise grows louder in Arthur Ashe Stadium, so does her confidence.