'I had problems' - Karolina Muchova wins 'weird' match against Beatriz Haddad Maia to make semi-finals of US Open
Published 04/09/2024 at 23:11 GMT+1
Karolina Muchova has returned to the US Open semi-finals despite spending much of the season out of action with a wrist injury. The Czech player’s remarkable comeback continues as she defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 6-4, despite having to ‘run to the bathroom’ as she admitted to struggling with illness. She will face either Iga Swiatek or Jess Pegula in the semi-final.
Highlights: Draper crushes de Minaur, Muchova overcomes illness to beat Haddad Maia at US Open
Video credit: SNTV
Karolina Muchova defied illness to record a straight sets win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in New York, the Czech player making it to the semi-finals for the second straight year, despite barely playing in 2024 following wrist surgery.
The 6-1 6-4 scoreline might look straightforward, but it was anything but for the likeable Muchova, who had already recovered from injury to get to this stage.
Making regular trips off-court at the change of ends, it transpired she had caught a ‘bug’ that was going round the locker room - with Muchova keen to apologise for the disruption to the match.
“It was a little weird match, I have to say," she said in her on-court interview. "I had the problems, having to run to the bathroom and back. I’m happy how I managed it.”
She then explained in her press conference that she was “fighting a bug,” before clarifying that she wasn’t using the off-court moments as a means to break any momentum her opponent might have mustered.
“I’m a bit sick and I hope it didn’t disturb anyone that I was - it has never happened to me before, but I needed to go off-court whenever I had the chance and again, I hope it didn’t disturb anyone, didn’t disturb [Haddad Maia].
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'I hope it didn't disturb anyone' - Muchova reflects on illness and victory against Hadda Maia
Video credit: SNTV
“I actually don’t like to do these things, but I had no other choice than to use the bathroom!”
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Muchova’s game certainly didn’t seem affected, the Czech player mixing up the points and getting her opponent on the run. Her style of play is very different to the big-hitters who often dominate the women’s game - but it is doing the business at Flushing Meadows, with Muchova into the semi-finals here for the second straight year.
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Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova (R) greets Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia at the net after winning their women's quarterfinals match on day ten of the US Open
Image credit: Getty Images
Last year, she lost to eventual champion Coco Gauff in straight sets in the semi-final, but this time around will face either Iga Swiatek or Jess Pegula.
But after overcoming that wrist injury - which she admitted she picked up in the quarter-finals here last year - Muchova certainly has plenty of mental resilience on her side as she attempts to make it to a second Grand Slam final.
“The wrist surgery was one of the worst [injuries] I’ve had. When I go back to [the surgery in] February, I have to say I wasn’t always that positive. It was a tough moment when I couldn’t move the arm and couldn't do much.
“I’m just now very grateful for all the people who had my back and that I’m here playing, pain-free.”
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