After qualifying to a tennis major semifinals for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka says her qualification to the semifinals of this year’s US Open means so much to her.
The Japan tennis player beat Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 in the quarterfinals to progress to the semifinals where she is scheduled to play against Amanda Anisimova on Friday, September 5.
Anisimova stunned 2025 Wimbledon Champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals to set up the match against Osaka; Anisimova got her revenge over Swiatek who trounced her in the Wimbledon final via a 6-0, 6-0 result.
Speaking after her win, Naomi Osaka reveled in the moment of getting the chance to be a semifinalist at a tennis major since becoming a mother.
“It’s my first time in a semi now [since becoming a mother]. It was an incredibly difficult match.”
Naomi Osaka of Japan returns a shot against Karolina Muchova of Czechia during their Women’s Quarterfinal match on Day Eleven of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
She’s one of the best players in the world – every time I play her it’s so difficult” she said according to the BBC.
Aryna Sabalenka takes on Jessica Pegula in the first semifinals on Thursday, September 4.
