Karolina Muchova battled past Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in a gripping second-round clash at the 2025 US Open, eventually prevailing 7–6(7-0), 6–7(3-7), 6–4. Both players traded momentum throughout, combining fearless baseline hitting with extended rallies that thrilled the New York crowd. For Muchova, the win marked a test of fitness, nerve and resilience; for Cirstea, it was a performance full of defiance that left her just short of a major upset.
Set 1 – Karolina Muchova edges opener in tiebreak
Cirstea made the sharper start, breaking Muchova in the fourth game to lead 3–1 and consolidating for 4–1. The Romanian dictated with aggressive flat hitting and looked in control, but Muchova clawed her way back with clever variety, breaking in the seventh game and again at 5–4 as Cirstea faltered serving for the set.
With the opener tied at 6–6, the tiebreak came down to nerve. Muchova surged ahead early and produced steady serving. She also thrilled the crowd with one of the points of the tournament, a dazzling exchange that carried her to 4–0 up in the breaker. Muchova continued with trademark composure, flipping the momentum to win all seven points and sealing it 7–0.
Set 2 – Sorana Cirstea holds firm to level in another breaker
Muchova started with a solid hold, but Cirstea struck next, breaking in the third game and consolidating for 3–1. The Czech pressed throughout but the Romanian absorbed the pressure, holding on in long service games to keep her advantage at 4–2.
Muchova found her chance at 5–4, breaking as Cirstea faltered serving for the set. The two exchanged further breaks under pressure before settling into a second tiebreak. This time Cirstea’s aggression paid off: she went up early, dictated play with her forehand, and closed the breaker 7–3. After nearly two hours, the match was level at one set apiece.
Set 3 – Muchova regains composure on serve at the finish, 6–4
The decider began with immediate tension as Cirstea dropped her serve, giving Muchova a quick 2–0 lead. Though the Romanian fought back to level 3–3 with a spirited break in a marathon sixth game, Muchova struck back instantly, re-breaking at love and consolidating for 5–3.
Cirstea refused to bow out quietly, saving two match points in her next service game before holding for 4–5. But Muchova would not be denied. Serving with clarity and purpose, she earned a third match point at 40–15 and converted to close out the contest 6–4, completing a hard-fought victory in just under three hours.
Match Summary
Muchova’s 7–6(0), 6–7(3), 6–4 victory over Cirstea was a showcase of resilience. The Czech had to rally from behind in both the first and second sets, splitting breakers with her Romanian rival, before finally asserting herself in the decider. Cirstea contributed to a high-quality contest with fearless rallies, but it was Muchova who produced a highlight-reel moment in the opening-set tiebreak, racing to 4–0 with what may be remembered as one of the points of the tournament. In the end, Muchova’s steadiness in the critical games proved decisive. She looks very much in form and might be one of the favourites to go far yet again this US Open.
Key Turning Points
- Early lead lost: Cirstea led 4–1 in Set 1 before Muchova reeled her in to force and win the tiebreak.
- Point of the tournament: Muchova’s dazzling rally to go 4–0 up in the first-set breaker brought the crowd to its feet.
- Second-set resilience: After failing to serve out the set, the Cleveland Open winner steadied in the tiebreak to force a decider.
- Instant response: Broken for 3–3 in the decider, Muchova immediately re-broke, shutting the door on Cirstea’s comeback.
- Closing composure: On her third match point, Muchova served it out 6–4 with no hesitation.
Cirstea vs Muchova – Full Match Stats
| Statistic | Cirstea | Muchova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.90 | 1.11 |
| Winners | 35 | 34 |
| Unforced Errors | 36 | 43 |
| Serve Rating | 227 | 244 |
| Aces | 1 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 4 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 61% (75/123) | 67% (77/115) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 67% (50/75) | 69% (53/77) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 37% (19/51) | 39% (15/38) |
| Break Points Saved | 68% (13/19) | 62% (8/13) |
| Service Games | 65% (11/17) | 71% (12/17) |
| Ace % | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| Double Fault % | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| Return Rating | 159 | 163 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 31% (24/77) | 33% (25/75) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 61% (23/38) | 63% (32/51) |
| Break Points Won | 38% (5/13) | 32% (6/19) |
| Return Games | 29% (5/17) | 35% (6/17) |
| Pressure Points | 56% (18/32) | 44% (14/32) |
| Service Points | 54% (67/123) | 59% (68/115) |
| Return Points | 41% (47/115) | 46% (56/123) |
| Net Points | 63% (15/24) | 62% (18/29) |
| Total Points | 48% (114/238) | 52% (124/238) |
| Match Points Saved | 2 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 6 | 9 |
| Total Service Games | 65% (11/17) | 71% (12/17) |
| Total Return Games | 29% (5/17) | 35% (6/17) |
| Total Games | 47% (16/34) | 53% (18/34) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 4 |
| Distance Covered (m) | 2,208 | 2,239 |
| Match Duration | 1h 23m | |