Inspired Muchova surges past Potapova to move into US Open fourth round
The Czech eased past Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the US Open, where she’ll meet Jasmine Paolini for a place in the quarter-finals
Karolina Muchova, US Open, 2024 © Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
Karolina Muchova outclassed Anastasia Potapova in their US Open third-round encounter, beating the Russian 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second consecutive year.
It was a highly watchable contest, with Muchova at her wonderful, free-flowing best on her first appearance inside Grandstand.
Potapova played her part in a competitive, high-quality opening set, but she faded rapidly in the second as her opponent’s quality appeared to sap the belief out of the former Junior No 1.
The match got off to a breathless start, with both players drawing out the best in one another across an opening that deserved a greater spotlight than the sparse crowd of the morning slot on Grandstand.
A single break in the fifth game for Muchova was all that separated the two across the first set, before the Czech found another gear in the second as Potapova’s own game began to show its cracks.
The damage was done early in the second stanza, with Muchova striking in the third and fifth games to all but seal victory. Potapova fought admirably, however, fending off two match points before her opponent finally clinched the win with typically deft hands at the net.
free-flowing muchova too good for potapova
Potapova is a brilliant player with a very bright future, but she was comprehensively outplayed today by an opponent whose dazzling variety left little room for resistance. Usually her weaker side, even Muchova’s backhand was in sparkling form, frequently painting lines to devastating effect.
A semi-finalist in New York last season, the Czech is playing in just her sixth tournament since that run to the last four twelve months ago.
Perennially plagued by injury since her junior days, Muchova enjoyed a stellar return to top form across the latter half of last year, reaching the final at Roland-Garros – where she pushed world No 1 Iga Swiatek to the brink – before her excellent US Open run a few months later.
But injury woes struck again for Muchova, who required surgery to repair a tendon in her right wrist in February – a procedure that kept her off court for another five months, having missed the final four months of her 2023 campaign.
Since returning to action during the grass-court stretch this summer, Muchova has posted some promising results – most notably a run to the final of the Palermo Open in July, eventually losing to Zheng Qinwen in three sets.
But a return to the second week of the last Grand Slam of the year far outstrips many observers’ expectations of the Czech, having once again come back from a lengthy spell away from the sport.
“To save some energy is always nice,” Muchova said in her on-court interview, when asked about how significant a straightforward win was for her prospects of going deep in the tournament.
“I’m glad all three matches went in two [sets], it couldn’t be better so far. I’m just happy it went well, I think it was a tough match and she [Potapova] played really well as well, so happy to save some energy.
“This is a special tournament. I love New York City, I love coming back… I am really enjoying my time here. Last year was amazing, and I’m trying to follow that up.”
Next up for world No 34 will be a meeting with one of the most in-form players of the season as Jasmine Paolini awaits in the last 16.
Muchova is a player who more than merits a deep run at the US Open, but a second-week showing – given all she has been through over the past year – is a huge accomplishment in its own right.
Should she stay fit and healthy for an extended period, however, this is a player who will have a significant impact of the pecking order of the WTA’s elite.
