WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka advanced to her first US Open semifinal since becoming a mother in 2023, beating No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Wednesday night.

"I'm really inspired by all the moms on tour," Osaka said. "But I also have this feeling like I'm not doing good enough or that I'm being left behind. I really felt like I was losing a race in some sort of weird way... But now I'm here, and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Osaka will next face American world No. 9 Amanda Anisimova, who overcame second-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-4, 6-3 earlier on Wednesday. Anisimova finished with 23 winners to Swiatek's 13 and converted four of nine break points. Swiatek had just four break chances and converted two.

The result came less than two months after Swiatek beat Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final.

"It still feels a bit surreal, for sure," Anisimova said after match. "It's the farthest I've gone by far at the US Open, and it's extremely special. Today is definitely the most meaningful victory I've had in my life."

Anisimova leads Osaka 2-0 in their head-to-head, with both previous wins coming at Grand Slams in 2022.

"It's definitely going to be really tough," Osaka said. "I've played her twice and I've lost both times. She's so talented, and she's able to hit a winner from anywhere."

In the men's draw, top-ranked Jannik Sinner defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the first all-Italian men's Grand Slam quarterfinal. ■