The Japan Times - 'Tough cookie' Muchova downs Cirstea to reach US Open semi-finals

Czech 10th seed Muchova advanced to the last four of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time this season with a 6-0, 6-3 victory in 1hr 38min on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Muchova, who reached the final of the French Open in June, will play sixth seed Coco Gauff of the United States in the last four.

"I felt very good actually from the start till the end," Muchova said of Tuesday's win.

"I felt I had a good feeling with the ball from the baseline, I felt good on the net, slicing, and with my whole game," added Muchova, who is relishing her upcoming semi-final date with Gauff.

"She's very athletic. She never gives up. Runs for every ball. Doesn't do many mistakes," Muchova said of the American teenager.

"So she has kind of all the strokes. So very, very good player from all the aspects."

Muchova said her relaxed mental approach had helped her into the last four.

"I'm just trying to keep things actually pretty easy and don't put much expectations on me," she said.

"I'm pretty, I would say, a tough cookie in life as well. That helps with tennis. Some days are better; some days not.

"But I always try to keep the clear mind and to be relaxed and enjoy the sport, just the basics."

The 33-year-old Cirstea had been playing in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for only the second time in a professional career that began in 2006.

The Romanian appeared to be caught cold early by Muchova, who punished every mistake ruthlessly to go up a double break for a 3-0 lead in the first set.

Cirstea attempted to rally in the fourth game but despite earning nine break points was unable to convert any of them as Muchova held serve for 4-0.

Cirstea was broken again in the fifth game and Muchova held once more to take the first set.

Cirstea made a better fist of the second set, holding and earning a break to go 2-0 up.

But she was unable to build on that early momentum and was broken in the third game to put the set back on serve.

The decisive break came in the seventh game, when Cirstea found herself 0-40 and then plopped a tame forehand into the net to hand Muchova a 4-3 lead.

Muchova then held before breaking Cirstea in the ninth game, sealing victory with a superb forehand winner.

T.Maeda--JT