Aryna Sabalenka kept her quest for a third straight US Open crown alive after a hard‑fought three‑set victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping quarter‑final encounter. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian edged out the Czech player 7‑6 (7‑1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7), navigating two tie‑breaks and even rallying from a 4‑2 deficit in the final set before sealing the win with a decisive second‑serve ace. The triumph not only propels Sabalenka into the semifinals, where she will face the winner of the all‑American showdown between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, but also extends her reign as world No.
1 for at least another day. The stakes in New York are enormous. While Sabalenka must capture the title to retain her top‑ranking, any slip‑up could see her supplanted by Elena Rybakina, who eliminated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Rybakina, if she overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her own quarter‑final on Wednesday, will claim the No. 1 spot regardless of Sabalenka's performance. Conversely, if Rybakina falls, the door opens for Pegula or Coco Gauff to ascend to the summit, provided they win the championship on Saturday night at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka's ambition is to become the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012 to 2014) to claim the title three years in a row.
Her record against Noskova now stands at 3‑0, having previously defeated the 21‑year‑old in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and in the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier this season. Noskova, meanwhile, was aiming to become the first player to secure back‑to‑back Grand Slam titles since Naomi Osaka’s 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open victories, a dream that ended with her 11‑match major winning streak.
The match opened with Sabalenka breaking Noskova’s serve early, racing to a 5‑2 lead. However, the Czech rallied fiercely, taking four of the next five games to level the set at 6‑6. The first tie‑break was a one‑sided affair; Sabalenka dominated, conceding only a single point on an ace, while Noskova’s double fault and Sabalenka’s power sealed the set.
In the second set, Noskova displayed resilience, saving break points early and even breaking Sabalenka’s serve at 3‑2. She capitalized on a double fault from Sabalenka to take the set 6‑3, forcing a decisive third set. The final set saw Noskova break Sabalenka in the fifth game, gaining a crucial advantage as Sabalenka double‑faulted twice.
Yet Sabalenka dug deep, leveling the score at 4‑4 and forcing another tie‑break. This second breaker proved far more contested than the first, but Sabalenka’s composure under pressure—highlighted by an ace on a match point—enabled her to clinch the set and the match. After the win, Sabalenka reflected in her on‑court interview: "Thinking the match was over helped me stay loose and go for my shots. I’m super happy to get this win – it was a tough battle.
These crowds, tie‑breaks, and high‑pressure moments boost my confidence and energy. For now I just want to relax, recover, and reflect on what happened." Sabalenka’s performance in New York underscores her reputation as a clutch player in tie‑breaks.
She has never lost a US Open quarter‑final and entered the match having won her last ten tie‑breaks at the tournament. Tim Henman of Sky Sports Tennis praised her mental fortitude, noting that while her form may dip in lower‑profile events, she consistently rises to the occasion against elite opponents. "Her tie‑break record is absolutely phenomenal. When it comes to the most pressure‑packed moments, she’s the one that comes up with the big shots," Henman said.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka must maintain her high level to navigate the semifinals and ultimately the final. The physical and mental demands of back‑to‑back tie‑breaks, coupled with the expectation of defending a title, make her path challenging. Yet her ability to stay composed, execute powerful serves, and capitalize on crucial points suggests she possesses the tools needed for a historic three‑peat.
For tennis fans, the drama continues to unfold at the US Open, with live coverage available on Sky Sports through September 13. The tournament promises more high‑stakes matches, potential ranking shake‑ups, and the chance to witness whether Sabalenka can cement her legacy as a three‑time consecutive champion at Flushing Meadows.