(September 2, 2024) FLUSHING, NY – Last year’s semifinalist Karolina Muchova stopped Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist, No. 5 Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3 in 69 minutes to earn a spot in the final eight at the US Open on Monday.
A year ago, the woman from the Czech Republic reached the US Open semifinals and after her run sustained a serious wrist injury that has sidelined her for most of this last year.
Muchova had to recover from an early break in the first set to trail 1-3 and then won 5 straight games to win the set 6-3. She broke the Italian twice in the second set to close it out in straight sets. Now ranked at No. 52, Muchova has not dropped a set in the tournament.
“My thoughts… very happy to win again in two sets,” Muchova said to media. “I think it was very tricky, tough match.
“I was actually a little bit nervous today. I don’t even know why, but it was kind of weird match. I had weird feeling in my body whole match, but yeah, I’m glad that I won.”
“I’m not really thinking about winning the tournament,” Muchova said. “I came to the tournament in different position, I would say. Not that many matches played. It was my second tournament on the hard court.
“Now playing few matches, I feel like I’m building up the game. I feel better each day on court. I’m just thinking about the match I’m going to play and trying to be prepared as best as possible. Then we’ll see how far I can go.
“I’m in quarters, and I’m really grateful for that, and we’ll see.”
Next up for Muchova will be the winner between former finalist Caroline Wozniacki and Beatriz Haddad Maia the 22nd seed.
On her next match: ” I know she’s been World No. 1 (Wozniacki). She’s playing a very great game, good strokes. She doesn’t miss much. So for sure very tough match.
“Against Bia (Hadad Maia), we played I think last year I guess as well. Maybe we played in Cincinnati a very tough battle, three sets. She’s a big fighter, lefty.
“Both very, very tough opponents. So let the better win, and let’s see how I’m going to approach that match.”
