Karolina Muchova, in her previous six visits to Wimbledon, has either exited in the first round or reached the quarter-finals. Her results haven’t had anything in between or beyond in those past six years.
However, in the quarter-final on Tuesday, Muchova defeated Naomi Osaka 7-6(4), 6-4, winning her first-ever match on Centre Court and ending Osaka’s own career-best grass-court swing in the process.
Muchova, 29, is still searching for her first career Grand Slam title, and on Tuesday, she proved to be the more composed player than four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka.
Karolina produced 21 unforced errors to Osaka’s 42, while the pair sent down 24 winners apiece.
Muchova, who wasn’t afraid to come forward to the net and volley, took the first-set tiebreak with a forehand winner on her third set point.
Osaka, seeded 14th, previously defeated World No. 1 Sabalenka in the fourth round. Much to her dismay, consistency wasn’t on her side as she hit two double faults alongside two aces in the ninth game of the second set and missed a drive volley to drop her serve. Muchova, seeded tenth, served out the set, finishing with an ace, to reach her first-ever Wimbledon semifinal.
“I’m just getting old,” said Osaka, who couldn’t find her rhythm against her Czech opponent.
“It’s hard because I played so well in my last match, then today I just feel like I didn’t play well at all and I didn’t have any energy,” said Osaka, who despite the loss still had her best result at the All England Club by reaching the quarterfinals.
“I could feel it coming because I’ve played way more matches than I usually do before a Slam,” she added. “I just wanted to try that to see the rhythm, you know? Obviously, it worked out well. But I think I probably won’t do that again. But yeah, I would say it was like an accumulation of playing two weeks straight without a day off.”
Muchova will face Coco Gauff in the semi-final, who is also making her first-ever Wimbledon semi-final.
“I played three times before on this court and (my record) was zero-three,” Muchova said. “Not a good relationship with this court – until now. I’m super happy we finally made it in front of you all. I love grass.
“I was nervous, very nervous. She’s an unbelievable athlete. You can’t lose focus and have to keep going; play every point. You give her a little chance, she takes it. I’m so happy with the win.”
