Karolina Muchova highlights the ‘biggest’ change she’s noticed about Naomi Osaka after losing to her at the US Open

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Naomi Osaka continued her march towards a third US Open title with an impressive quarterfinal win.

After Osaka stunned Coco Gauff in the last 16, she advanced to take on Czechia’s Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals.

Producing a clinical display, Osaka beat Muchova in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, to qualify for her first Grand Slam semifinal in four years.

Muchova was disappointed to have missed out on the semis herself, but couldn’t help but notice a big change in Osaka during their quarterfinal clash.

Karolina Muchova has noticed a big change in Naomi Osaka’s confidence

During her post-match press conference, Muchova highlighted the biggest change she’s noticed in Osaka recently.

“I think she played great before, even last year in Australia and here as well. I think maybe the change would be in the confidence,” she said.

“She played great in Montreal and got some good matches under her belt, winning matches.

• 2025 Canadian Open 1R – Naomi Osaka defeated Ariana Arsenault, 6-4, 6-2
• 2025 Canadian Open 2R – Naomi Osaka defeated Liudmila Samsonova, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
• 2025 Canadian Open 3R – Naomi Osaka defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 6-2, 6-4
• 2025 Canadian Open 4R – Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasija Sevastova, 6-1, 6-0
• 2025 Canadian Open QF – Naomi Osaka defeated Elina Svitolina, 6-2, 6-2
• 2025 Canadian Open SF – Naomi Osaka defeated Clara Tauson, 2-6, 6-7
• 2025 Canadian Open F – Naomi Osaka lost to Victoria Mboko, 6-2, 4-6, 1-6

“I think that is the biggest difference, the confidence.

“You can see she believes in her shots more and in the key points she plays well. I would say that’s probably different.

“But even in those matches before she was always a tough competitor and it was tough to play her every time.”

Muchova now trails the head-to-head with Osaka 2-3, having lost to her at both the Australian Open and US Open in 2025.

With three of their previous four matches requiring a deciding set, Muchova failed to win a set this time, even if there were several ‘close games’.

Naomi Osaka played ‘really well’ in ‘tough battle’ – Karolina Muchova

Sharing her thoughts on the match itself, Muchova was full of praise for her Japanese opponent.

“It was a very tough match. I think Naomi played really well, especially in the key moments,” she said.

“We had some close games that could go either way but on her serve she usually served pretty well.

“It was a tough battle.”

Osaka won 14 more service points than Muchova during their quarterfinal, as the shot fired her towards the last four.

The four-time major champion will now turn her attention to the semifinals, and a match against Amanda Anisimova.

Muchova, on the other hand, will prepare to return in Beijing, for the China Open, where she finished as the runner-up a year ago.

Naomi Osaka has chance to win fifth Grand Slam at the US Open

After winning four Grand Slams between 2018 and 2021, Osaka began to struggle for form, and hasn’t added to her tally since.

Now just two wins away from a fifth major, Osaka has an opportunity to close the gap to Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek at the top of the ‘active’ Slam champions list.

• 1. Venus Williams – 7
• 2. Iga Swiatek – 6
• 3. Naomi Osaka – 4
• 4. Aryna Sabalenka – 3
• T-5. Coco Gauff – 2
• T-5. Barbora Krejcikova – 2
• T-5. Victoria Azarenka – 2

To do so, she’ll need to beat both Anisimova, and either Aryna Sabalenka or Jessica Pegula in the final.

Looking to advance to her first Grand Slam final since the 2021 Australian Open, Osaka will play Anisimova in the semis on Thursday, September 4.