Czech tennis player Karolina Muchova, ranked 49th, delivered a stunning performance by defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the China Open on Friday. Muchova won the match with scores of 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-4, and is set to face either China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen or 17-year-old Russian talent Mirra Andreeva for a chance to compete in the final.
Sabalenka, who is currently ranked world number two, entered the match on a remarkable 15-match winning streak, having recently claimed titles at both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Despite this impressive run, she faced challenges against Muchova, especially considering their history—Muchova had won their last two encounters, both decided in the final set.
The match began tightly, with Sabalenka confronting three break points early on but managing to hold her serve. The first set saw multiple opportunities for both players, including a set point for Sabalenka at 5-4 on Muchova's serve, which she failed to convert. Ultimately, Muchova secured the first set in a tense tiebreaker, marking the first set Sabalenka had dropped since the third round of the US Open.
The second set saw Sabalenka regain her form, breaking Muchova early and cruising to a 6-2 win. However, the decisive third set was marked by fluctuating momentum, with neither player able to maintain consistent service. In a match that lasted two hours and 46 minutes, Muchova emerged victorious, overcoming moments of doubt against her opponent's powerful game.
This victory is particularly significant for Muchova, who ranked ninth in the world this time last year, reaching the finals at the French Open and the semi-finals at the US Open. Her 2023 season was severely impacted by wrist surgery, sidelining her for nearly ten months until her return this summer. Now, with her sights set on the final, Muchova aims to capitalize on this momentum in Beijing.
