Karolina Muchova defeats Sorana Cirstea at the US Open to go to the semifinals

On Tuesday, Karolina Muchova upset Sorana Cirstea of Romania in straight sets to go to the US Open semifinals.

With a 6-0, 6-3 win in 1 hour, 38 minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Czech 10th seed Muchova reached the round of 16 of a Grand Slam event for the second time this year.

Muchova, who advanced to the French Open final in June, will face sixth-seeded American Coco Gauff in the semifinals.

In a professional career that started in 2006, the 33-year-old Cirstea was participating in the Grand Slam quarterfinals for only the second time.

Muchova looked to catch the Romanian off guard right on, punishing every slip-up mercilessly to go up a double break for a 3-0 lead in the first set.

In the fourth game, Cirstea made an effort to comeback but was unsuccessful despite collecting nine break chances as Muchova held serve for a 4-0 victory.

In the fifth game, Cirstea was broken once again, and Muchova held to win the first set.

The second set was handled better by Cirstea, who held and earned a break to go up 2-0.

She was broken in the third game to put the set back on serve, but she was unable to capitalize on her early success.

The turning point occurred in the seventh game when Cirstea, who was down 0-40, threw a soft forehand into the net to give Muchova a 4-3 advantage.

Muchova continued to hold serve until defeating Cirstea in the ninth game with a brilliant forehand winner.