Karolina Muchova battled back from a mid-match lull to oust Sorana Cirstea in three sets at the US Open on Thursday, sealing a spot in the tournament’s third round where she’ll face fellow Czech Linda Noskova.
The Czech star looked shaken early, trailing 4-1 in the opening set as she appeared to wipe sweat from her brow with a headband and gesture toward someone in the stands. Chair umpire Alison Hughes checked in, and fans speculated about a possible injury. Muchova fought back to take the first set and then closed out the match in a deciding frame, continuing her strong run at Flushing Meadows.
After the victory, Muchova spoke with Czech reporters about a distraction that was not tennis-related. She revealed that her ex-boyfriend had sat near her box, which unsettled her and made it harder to focus. “There was something not tennis-related,” she said. “My ex-boyfriend sat right next to my box. He likes to appear at places where he shouldn’t be, and that scared me a little bit. I asked him to leave, and he eventually did.” She emphasized that the incident was challenging but insisted she was able to regain her rhythm and fight for every rally.
As of now, there has been no public comment from the US Open organizers regarding the incident. Heavy reached out for comment, but no official statement had been released at the time of publication.
Looking ahead, Muchova will take on Noskova in the next round. The two Czech players share a close relationship off the court, having teamed up at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they reached the semifinals. Muchova described Noskova as “great” and said they keep in touch beyond tennis. Their Olympic run also included a notable victory over the top-seeded American duo Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, clinched in a dramatic third-set tiebreak.
In brief comments during her post-match session, Muchova underscored the connection with Noskova and suggested the matchup could be both competitive and friendly, reflecting the strong ties within the Czech tennis community.
Summary: Muchova overcame a late-first-set stumble to defeat Cirstea in three sets, revealing a non-tennis distraction involving her ex-boyfriend. She’ll meet Noskova next, in what promises to be another tightly contested Czech showdown, with both players carrying Olympic-era camaraderie into the match.
Commentary: This result highlights Muchova’s mental resilience, turning a potentially disruptive moment into fuel for a strong performance. If she can maintain focus amid external pressures, she’s a genuine threat to advance deeper at the Open. Positive frame: the incident also shines a light on the importance of security and personal support for players at major events.