Tennis – “Strange game”: Muchova back in the US Open semifinals – Sport

New York (dpa) – Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic won a “strange match” and reached the semifinals of the US Open for the second time in a row. The unseeded 28-year-old defeated the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia 6:1, 6:4 and has not yet lost a set at this Grand Slam tournament in New York.

Muchova: “I’m a little sick”

Both players struggled with difficulties at times in the quarterfinals. Muchova left the court several times. “I’m a little sick. I hope it didn’t bother her or the audience,” said the world number 52, speaking of a “strange game.” “I had no choice but to run to the toilet.”

When the score was 3:5 in the second set from her perspective, Haddad Maia was in tears and buried her face in a towel. She was treated and listened to with a stethoscope. A little later, Muchova prevailed.

“I feel OK,” said Haddad Maia afterwards. The past few days have been emotional. Sometimes there are things on and off the pitch that weigh on you. “But today it was my mistake.” “I couldn’t concentrate,” said the 28-year-old about her first game at Arthur Ashe Stadium: “This is different.”

Muchova will now face the winner of the party between world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland and American Jessica Pegula. After her semi-final exit last year, Muchova had to miss more than nine months with a wrist injury and only returned to the tour at the end of June.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240904-930-223236/2