Naomi Osaka fails in the 2nd round of the US Open against Muchova

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the US Open in the second round in Flushing Meadows on Thursday with a 6:3, 7:6(5) loss to Czech Karolina Muchova.

The Japanese former world number one, who was competing in the tournament for the first time since taking a break from professional tennis for mental health reasons and the birth of her daughter, made an impressive straight win over world number one Jelena Ostapenko in the first round.

Osaka started well in this tennis match

Against Muchova, she started the match well, leading 3-2 in the first set before the 2023 semi-finalist took control, winning the next four games and closing the set with 12 winners and just four unforced errors.

With the majority of Arthur Ashe Stadium behind her, Osaka played more consistently in the second set and looked to be on course to force the match into overtime and turn the tide when she managed a break to lead 5-4 before converting three set points at 40-0.

However, the 26-year-olds were unable to gain the momentum they had hoped for to turn the game around, conceding a double fault and a series of unforced errors on the way to the break. After the set went into a tiebreak, the 28-year-old Muchova took the initiative again.

“This match was so different from my match against Ostapenko. “I felt like I had to keep fighting,” Osaka said. “In the moments when I’m under pressure, I got nervous and I don’t know if I just need to play more matches to get used to that feeling, especially on a big stage.”

The winner of four Grand Slam titles was nevertheless pleased with the progress she has made during her comeback season, adding: “This year has been a year of learning, I have put a lot of energy and effort into all the tournaments I have played.”