Naomi Osaka’s quest for a maiden WTA clay court title has been prolonged after she suffered a shock loss to Karolina Muchova in the second round of the Madrid Open.
The four-time Grand Slam champion looked tentative on the court as she crashed out 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, to the world No.20. Best illustrated by her unforced error count of 24 as she won 59% of her service points. Meanwhile, Muchova was the most consistent player both mentally and physically as she picked apart the serve of her rival en route to victory.
“(It feels) amazing, it is my first time here (in Madrid),” she said during her on-court interview.
“I am happy that people are allowed to come and cheer. It was very nice and I definitely missed this a lot. I’m really glad that it is happening again and people can support us (in person). It gives me energy.”
Muchova, who made her top 20 debut earlier this week at the age of 24, struck three games into the match by breaking to generate an early lead. Osaka tried to regain momentum in the following game but failed to convert a break point opportunity. Enabling the Czech to maintain the upper hand with the use of both the slice and some flat hitting. Muchova had a chance to take the opener 6-3 but failed to convert set point after a lob from her went long. Nevertheless, she prevailed in the following game by closing the set out with a serve out wide.
Last year when the two players clashed in Cincinnati, Osaka won by having to come back from a set down. Tasked with having to do the same again in Madrid, the world No.2 elevated the intensity of her shot-making during the second frame as she battled back from the brink. After being broken once again, Osaka managed to turn her fortunes around with a five-game winning streak as it was Muchova’s turn to experience difficulty with her serve. Taking the encounter into a decider.
With everything to play for, Muchova once again drew blood from the reigning Australian Open champion with the help of a deep shot towards the baseline which triggered an error from Osaka. Giving her the early break in the final set. The dramatic change in momentum between the two players clearly frustrated Osaka but she was unable to find a solution.
Muchova’s relentless hitting proved to be too much for Osaka in the end as she nudged towards one of her most high-profile wins in terms of ranking. Closing the match out with a serve out wide which prompted another mistake from her opponent. Muchova will take on either Maria Sakkari or Anett Kontaveit in the third round.
“I’ll get some food and good sleep. Just typical preparation like every other match,” she said about preparing for her next match.
It is the third time in her career Muchova has beaten a top-five player and second this season. She has also previously scored victories over Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon in 2019 and Ash Barty at the Australian Open earlier this year.
