Muchova edges Mboko to reach Miami Open semi-final

Karolina Muchova showcased her experience and composure to overcome rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko with a 7-5, 7-6(5) victory, securing her place in the semi-finals of the Miami Open for the first time.

The 29-year-old Czech player battled through a closely contested match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes, marking her fifth appearance in a WTA 1000 semi-final.

Reflecting on the intense encounter, Muchova admitted the match could have gone either way, highlighting how just a single point made the difference. She expressed gratitude for maintaining her focus in the crucial moments.

The opening set remained evenly balanced, with both players holding serve until 5-4. Under pressure at 0-30, Muchova displayed resilience by winning four consecutive points to level the score at 5-5. She then capitalised on a dip in Mboko’s service game, eventually converting her third set point to take the lead.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither player conceding a break. The match was ultimately decided in a tense tie-break, where Muchova gained an early advantage with a mini-break and held her nerve to seal the win.

Praising her opponent, Muchova described Mboko as an exceptional talent, noting the unpredictability of matches against top-ranked players. She emphasized her strategy of staying aggressive and focused throughout the contest.

The victory continues Muchova’s impressive 2026 campaign, as she has now reached at least the fourth round in all five tournaments she has played this season. Her strong form includes a title win in Doha earlier this year, where she also defeated Mboko.

Muchova will next face either Coco Gauff or Belinda Bencic in the semi-final clash scheduled for Thursday.