Naomi Osaka's dream of winning a third US Open title is over after Karolina Muchova produced a sublime performance to beat her, but the Japanese star should have taken the match to a deciding set.
Osaka arrived in New York hoping to find inspiration after a difficult first eight months since returning to professional tennis at the start of the year. Her form heading into the US Open was particularly concerning.
However, Osaka produced a commanding performance to defeat Jelena Ostapenko in the opening round. It was one of the Japanese star's best performances this season.
The triumph meant a lot to Osaka, who cried immediately after the match. Her emotion after sealing a first win at the US Open since 2021 was understandable, especially considering her difficulties this year.
Muchova, last year's French Open runner-up, is one of the most watchable players in tennis. She showed that by hitting an outrageous shot behind her back against Katie Volynets in the opening round, going on to win that point.
The Czech returned from nearly ten months out with an injury in June. That meant most people did not have high expectations of her heading into the year's final Grand Slam, but she made a mockery of those opinions with a superb performance against Osaka.
The four-time major champion serving was impressive at the start of the set, comfortably winning her opening three service games. She also created a break point at 2-1 up but could not convert it.
Muchova's level was outstanding from 3-3 in the opening set. She hit two incredible drop shots and a blistering forehand down the line and also struck some sublime volleys, winning all five of her points at the net in the set.
That coincided with Osaka's level on serve declining in the set's second half. Muchova broke twice to secure the set 6-3 and leave her illustrious opponent with work to do.
The crowd was hopeful that Osaka would find some inspiration after she saved three break points in her opening service game of the second set to hold, which was met with a huge roar by the supportive fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Muchova continued to serve excellently for most of the second set. After making 86% of her first serves in the opening set, the 28-year-old's serving was equally impressive in the second, meaning creating opportunities was difficult for Osaka.
However, Muchova uncharacteristically missed an easy volley at 4-4, 15-15, and Osaka took advantage. She took her second break point opportunity in the game to get the first break. It looked like she was going to force a decider.
What happened in the following game stunned everyone in the stadium. Osaka held three set points on her serve at 40-0 but suddenly imploded from that position, allowing Muchova to break back.
A tiebreak decided the second set. Osaka found herself in a strong position after winning three consecutive points from 1-2 down to go 4-2 up at the change of ends.
Unfortunately for Osaka and her fans, she lost three points in a row, before Muchova hit an absolutely stunning forehand passing shot on the run to give herself two match points.
Osaka played a great point to save the first, but she missed a forehand drive volley on the second to seal a 6-3, 7-6 triumph for Muchova after a dramatic second set.
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