Healthy and confident: Muchova's talent takes center stage at the US Open

NEW YORK — It was a modest 97-mile-per-hour serve, but Karolina Muchova sprinted after it, stretched and smashed an exquisite backhand volley into the open court. The sequence lasted less than five seconds, but underscored the beauty of Muchova's fluid, smooth game.

On Saturday, the 28-year-old Czech advanced to the round of 16 at the US Open with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Anastasia Potapova. The match was over after 73 minutes and it is the first time in a year that Muchova has recorded three consecutive wins on hard court.

On Monday, she will next face No. 5 Jasmine Paolini, who knocked No. 30 Yulia Putintseva out of the race.

US Open: Results | Pull | Playing order

A year ago, Muchova reached the semifinals here, losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff, and rose to No. 8 in the PIF WTA rankings, a career high. But that was the end of her 2023 season. What she didn't know was that this could potentially be the end of her career.

It would be nine months before Muchova was able to play again. Wrist surgery in February kept her out of action until the grass-court season in June. After losing two of three matches, she resurfaced in Palermo and reached the final, where she lost to Zheng Qinwen. Muchova came to the US Open having lost two of three matches at the Olympics in Paris and Cincinnati.

And then she beat Volynets and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the second round. Muchova hit the ball from both wings to keep Osaka off balance.

“It's a long journey – it takes a year,” Muchova told reporters. “I'm definitely in a different position than last year. Honestly, I don't even want to compare myself to last year, but yes, it's been quite a bumpy road.”

“I had the surgery and didn't know if I was going to play or not. I'm honestly just very grateful that I'm here, that I can play and that I'm not in pain.”

Muchova's approach has an endearing, magical quality.

You may have seen Muchova's so-called “hot shot” from her first-round match against Katie Volynets. But those words don't do it justice. It was, as they say in certain parts of the world, a screamer.

Volynets hit an overhead behind the running Muchova, who casually reached back, floated into the air and hit a no-look lob behind the back that actually landed on the baseline. Muchova eventually won the point.

Given the level of difficulty, it could have been the shot of the year.

Muchova's strategy is often to put herself in such compromising situations and see what creative solution she can come up with.

At the end of her third game, no other player had scored as many goals. Muchova had won 49 of 65 points beforehand – an impressive success rate of 75 percent.

And no one has served and volleyed more often. It's not even close. Muchova has done it 23 times – and won 19 of those points.

“I'm a fan of hers,” Paolini told reporters. “She plays unbelievably. I really love the way she plays. She can play any shot, slice, volley, serve. I think she's a very complete player and a very tough opponent.”

“I hope we can play a really, really good game.”

Against Potapova, Muchova regularly used a long backhand slice. This bothered Potapova, who ended up making 29 unforced errors and hitting just 16 winners. Muchova's numbers were more efficient, coming in at 24 and 11. She also had eight aces and was not broken.

How good is Muchova when she is healthy?

Since the start of the 2023 season, only five players with more than 10 games have a better win rate: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. Muchova is now 45-17 (.726) in that time period – and it continues.

Muchova, as the old marketing slogan says, loves New York – walking in Central Park, enjoying the city's restaurants, the general atmosphere.

“It’s loud, it’s crowded – it’s New York,” said Muchova.

She has a fondness for this tournament because it was her first Grand Slam main draw. She qualified six years ago and won two matches before losing to Ashleigh Barty in the third round. Last year she reached the semifinals. Her overall record on these fast courts, which play to her strengths, is a solid 15-6.

However, at the beginning of the tournament, she had no illusions that she could win the title.

“Honestly, I didn't think about it at all,” Muchova said. “I didn't know what to expect from myself. I haven't played much this year, so I tried to focus on the first game. That's usually the hardest one.”

“Really, really grateful and happy to have made it to the fourth round now.”