Naomi Osaka out in 2R after collapse, Elena Rybakina’s bad luck continues

Naomi Osaka was knocked out in the second round of the US Open by Karolina Muchova, despite having a good chance to win the match. Elena Rybakina continued to struggle when the fourth-seeded woman had to withdraw from her match against Jessika Ponchet due to ‘injuries’.

After beating 10th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in her opening match at Flushing Meadows, Osaka hoped to make a deep run, but that came to an end on Thursday evening after Muchova handed her a 6-3 7-6 (5) loss.

For Osaka, it was certainly not her best day at the office, as Muchova was better in the important parts and stepped up when it mattered most. The Czech won 77 percent of her first service points, hitting 24 winners and making 13 unforced errors, while the Japanese hit 15 winners but also made 21 unforced errors.

On the other hand, 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who has been struggling with injuries and illnesses all year, could not even take the court for her second round match.

“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries. I didn’t want to end the last Grand Slam of the year this way, but I have to listen to my body and I hope I can finish the rest of the year strong. Thank you to all the fans who have supported me and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players the best of luck,” Rybakina said in a statement.

Osaka missed three consecutive set points on her serve in the second set

Early in the match, Muchova cleared a break point in the fourth game, then took two consecutive breaks in the seventh and ninth games to win the opening match.

Trailing by one set, Osaka finally earned her first break of the match in the ninth game of the second set, taking a 5-4 lead and earning the chance to serve for the deciding set.

In the next game, the four-time Grand Slam champion held 40/0 on her serve, but she stunningly lost the next five games as Muchova saved three consecutive set points and eventually forced a tiebreak.

Osaka also had a solid lead in the tiebreak, as she was ahead 4-2. Muchova then took the next four points and took a 6-4 lead. She then scored her second match point and thus her victory.