Aryna Sabalenka kept her dream of a third straight US Open crown alive after a hard‑fought three‑set victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping quarter‑final that also secured her world No.1 ranking for at least another day. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian edged out Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7), surviving two tie‑breaks and a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set before sealing the win with a crisp second‑serve ace. The triumph sets up a showdown with American Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Sabalenka’s path to the final is now intertwined with the ranking battle.
She must capture the title in New York to retain her No.1 spot, but she will automatically lose it if Elena Rybakina—who bested Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year—overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her own quarter‑final on Wednesday. Should Rybakina fall, Pegula or Coco Gauff could ascend to the top of the rankings by winning the tournament on Saturday night. For Sabalenka, who has reigned as world No.1 for 99 consecutive weeks, the goal is historic: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2012‑14) to win the US Open three years in a row.
Her record against Noskova improves to 3‑0 after previous victories at the Adelaide International final in 2023 and the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier this season. Noskova, the 21‑year‑old Czech, fought valiantly, forcing a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2 and later double‑faulting at 3‑3 in the final‑set breaker. An ill‑timed net cord saw her slip to 8‑6, and despite her efforts she could not halt Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter‑final and has won her last ten tie‑breaks at Flushing Meadows.
A win would have made Noskova the first woman since Naomi Osaka to claim back‑to‑back Grand Slam titles, after Osaka’s 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open victories, but her 11‑match major winning streak ended here. Pegula, meanwhile, booked her place in the semifinals by overcoming Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, rallying from a break down in the third set.
The American is now set for a rematch of the 2024 final against the defending champion, having secured her fifth straight win over Sabalenka, including a recent triumph at the Cincinnati Open. After her win, Pegula reflected on the intensity of her quarter‑final: "It was really tough, really physical, I wasn't serving my best, I was fighting a lot of demons out there. I do a great job on having a short‑term memory; every time I step on court I have to tell the negative part of me to shut up and just play tennis and compete." Sabalenka, in her post‑match interview, said, "Thinking the match was over helped me stay loose and go for my shots.
I'm super happy to get this win – a tough match, tough battle. These crowds, tie‑breaks, and high‑pressure moments boost my confidence and my energy. For now I just want to relax, recover, and reflect on what happened." The match began with Sabalenka breaking Noskova to love in the second game, racing to a 5‑2 lead before the Czech rallied to force a 6‑6 tie‑break. The first breaker was one‑sided; Noskova's sole point came from an ace, while Sabalenka's power sealed the set 7‑6 (7‑1).
In the second set, Noskova held her serve early, saving break points and even breaking Sabalenka at 3‑2, capitalising on a double fault from the world No.1. Sabalenka responded by saving a break point with an ace and later breaking back, but Noskova clinched the set 6‑3.
The decider was a roller‑coaster. Noskova surged ahead 5‑3, breaking Sabalenka twice and double‑faulting herself twice in the fifth game, which gave her a 4‑2 lead.
Sabalenka, however, dug deep, winning four of the next five games to level at 4‑4. The crowd was treated to a dramatic second tie‑break, this time more contested, but Sabalenka's composure under pressure saw her prevail 10‑7, clinching the match and keeping her three‑peat hopes alive. Commentator Tim Henman of Sky Sports praised Sabalenka's mental toughness, noting that while her form may dip in lower‑tier events, she 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," he said.
Looking ahead, the semifinal promises a clash of styles: Sabalenka's aggressive baseline power versus Pegula's relentless counter‑punching and mental resilience. Both players have shown the ability to grind out wins in long rallies and to thrive under the bright lights of New York.
The outcome will not only determine the champion but also shape the WTA rankings for the remainder of the season. Fans can continue to follow the drama live on Sky Sports through Sunday, September 13, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer contract‑free viewing.
The US Open remains a showcase of athletic excellence, mental fortitude, and the ever‑evolving narratives that make tennis a compelling global sport.