Karolina Muchova overcame four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan 7-6(4), 6-4 in an absorbing contest of athleticism, shot variety and tight margins on Tuesday to set up a Wimbledon semifinal against American Coco Gauff.
The 29-year-old Czech, seeking a first Grand Slam title, proved the steadier player on a sizzling Court One, producing 21 unforced errors to Osaka’s 42 while the pair sent down 24 winners apiece.
Not afraid to come to the net and volley, Muchova took the first set tiebreak with a forehand winner on her third set point.
Osaka, 28 and seeded 14th, had downed top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round. But consistency deserted her as she served two double faults alongside two aces in the ninth game of the second set and missed a drive volley to drop her serve.
Tenth seed Muchova served out the set, finishing with an ace, to reach her first Wimbledon semifinal.
Osaka laments sore feet and ’getting old’
“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.”
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Published on Jul 07, 2026