US Open: Muchova books spot in last 16

In a hard-fought, all-Czech battle, No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova battled back from a set down to defeat Linda Noskova 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday, securing her place in the US Open’s fourth round. The victory continues Muchova’s impressive track record in New York, where she has reached the semifinals in the past two years.

The match began with a roller coaster of momentum. Muchova broke early and looked poised to close out the first set, holding a 3-0 and a 5-3 lead. However, Noskova dug in, breaking back and eventually stealing the set in a tie-break. It was a frustrating blow for Muchova, who had also failed to convert a set point during the opener.

Muchova’s experience took over

But the veteran’s resolve shone through in the second set. Rather than letting the disappointment linger, Muchova refocused, breaking Noskova late in the set to go up 5-4 before serving it out to level the match. This crucial break shifted the entire dynamic of the contest.

With momentum firmly on her side, Muchova’s experience took over in the final set. She secured two decisive breaks, and her high-level play proved too much for the younger Noskova.

The win extends Muchova’s run of deep Grand Slam performances and demonstrates her mental toughness. The victory follows a difficult second-round match against Sorana Cirstea (7-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4) and a three-set opener against the legendary Venus Williams (6-3, 2-6, 6-1).

Muchova will face Marta Kostyuk, the No 27 seed, next. Kostyuk defeated Diane Parry in the afternoon.

New York (Grand Slam), other third-round results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 90.000.000, most recent results first):

• Beatriz Haddad Maia vs. Maria Sakkari
• Anna Kalinskaya vs. Iga Swiatek
• Amanda Anisimova vs. Jaqueline Cristian
• Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Laura Siegemund
• Daria Kasatkina vs. Naomi Osaka: saturday
• Diane Parry vs. Marta Kostyuk: saturday
• Coco Gauff (3) beat Magdalena Frech (28): 6-3, 6-1
• Taylor Townsend beat Mirra Andreeva (5): 7-5, 6-2
• Aryna Sabalenka (1) beat Leylah Fernandez (31): 6-3, 7-6 (2)
• Barbora Krejcikova beat Emma Navarro (10): 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
• Ann Li beat Priscilla Hon (Q): 7-5, 6-3
• Cristina Bucsa beat Elise Mertens (19): 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
• Jessica Pegula (4) beat Victoria Azarenka: 6-1, 7-5
• Marketa Vondrousova beat Jasmine Paolini (7): 7-6 (4), 6-1
• Elena Rybakina (9) beat Emma Raducanu: 6-1, 6-2