Aryna Sabalenka kept her dream of clinching a third straight US Open title alive after edging Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping three‑set quarter‑final clash. The win not only propelled Sabalenka into the semifinals but also ensured she would remain world No. 1 for at least another day, preserving her dominant position at the top of the women's game. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian secured the match with a 7‑6 (7‑1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) victory, navigating two tense tie‑breaks and sealing the final set with a crisp ace on her second serve.
Her triumph sets up a semifinal showdown against the winner of Tuesday night’s all‑American duel between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. While Sabalenka must capture the title in New York to safeguard her No.
1 ranking, the situation remains precarious. If Elena Rybakina—who bested Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this season—overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her quarter‑final on Wednesday, Sabalenka will inevitably relinquish the top spot. Conversely, should Rybakina fall, both Pegula and Coco Gauff could ascend to world No. 1 provided they win the championship at Flushing Meadows on Saturday evening.
Having held the No. 1 ranking for an uninterrupted 99 weeks, Sabalenka is on the brink of becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012‑14) to capture the tournament three times in a row. Her opponent, the 21‑year‑old Noskova, entered the match with a remarkable record against the world leader, having forced a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2 and later double‑faulting at 3‑3 in the decisive set breaker before slipping to a 7‑6 loss.
Sabalenka’s head‑to‑head advantage over Noskova now stands at 3‑0. The Belarusian previously defeated the Czech in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and again in the Indian Wells semifinals earlier this year. Noskova, meanwhile, was seeking to become the first woman since Naomi Osaka—who won back‑to‑back majors at the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open—to claim consecutive Grand Slam titles, a feat that would have ended her impressive 11‑match streak in major events.
The match opened with Sabalenka breaking Noskova’s serve to lead 3‑2, only to surrender four of the next five games as the Czech surged back. Despite the early turbulence, Sabalenka regrouped and dominated the first‑set tie‑break, conceding a single point—a wide ace—while Noskova’s double‑faults and Sabalenka’s powerful serving tilted the balance decisively. In the second set, Noskova displayed resilience, fending off break points early and even creating two of her own when she broke Sabalenka to go up 3‑2. She capitalized on a mistimed double‑fault from Sabalenka to clinch the second set 6‑3, leveling the match and forcing a deciding third set.
The third set proved a roller‑coaster. Noskova broke Sabalenka to lead 3‑2, aided by two consecutive double‑faults from the world No. 1. Yet Sabalenka’s experience shone through; she saved a break point with a well‑placed ace and soon after forced a fourth set point, ultimately leveling the set at 4‑4.
The crowd was treated to a second tie‑break, markedly more contested than the first. Sabalenka’s composure under pressure allowed her to edge the breaker 10‑7, sealing the match and keeping her three‑peat aspirations intact. Beyond the immediate result, the encounter highlighted several broader narratives.
Sabalenka’s ability to win two tie‑breaks in a high‑stakes quarter‑final underscores her mental fortitude and serving prowess—key attributes for any champion. Meanwhile, Noskova’s performance, despite the loss, reinforced her status as a rising threat on the tour; she pushed the world No. 1 to the brink and demonstrated a capacity to challenge the sport’s elite.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s next opponent will be determined after the Pegula‑Navarro showdown. Both American contenders bring distinct styles—Pegula’s powerful baseline game and Navarro’s crafty shot‑making—promising a compelling semifinal.
Regardless of the outcome, Sabalenka’s path to a historic US Open three‑peat remains contingent on maintaining her top ranking and navigating the physical and mental demands of the final rounds. Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports through Sunday, September 13, or stream the tournament and other premier sporting events without a contract via NOW, ensuring they don’t miss any of the drama as the US Open heads toward its climax.