Aryna Sabalenka continued to chase a historic third straight US Open championship after edging a gritty three‑set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a compelling quarter‑final encounter. The victory not only secured her place in the semifinals but also guaranteed that she would retain the world No. 1 ranking for at least another day, pending the outcomes of other matches later in the tournament.
The 28‑year‑old Belarusian clinched the win with a scoreline of 7‑6 (7‑1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7). The match featured two tightly contested tie‑breaks and a dramatic finish in the final set, where Sabalenka overcame a 4‑2 deficit.
She ultimately sealed the triumph with an ace on her second serve, earning a spot in the next round against American Jessica Pegula. At this stage of the US Open, Sabalenka’s path to retaining her top‑ranking spot hinges on a tournament victory. Should she fall short, she will inevitably cede the No. 1 position to another contender.
The most immediate threat comes from Elena Rybakina, who eliminated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year. If Rybakina defeats Qinwen Zheng in her quarter‑final on Wednesday, she will overtake Sabalenka in the rankings.
Conversely, if Rybakina is upset, the door opens for either Pegula or Coco Gauff to ascend to the summit, provided they capture the title in Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has now held the world No. 1 ranking for an impressive 99 consecutive weeks. A win in New York would place her among a select group of women who have won the US Open three times in a row, a feat not accomplished since Serena Williams’ dominant run from 2012 to 2014.
Achieving this milestone would cement Sabalenka’s legacy as one of the modern era’s greats. The quarter‑final itself was a showcase of resilience from both competitors. Noskova, who had forced a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2, displayed remarkable tenacity.
However, a double fault at 3‑3 in the final‑set tie‑break and a mis‑hit net cord that sent the ball out at 8‑6 gave Sabalenka the opening she needed. Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter‑final and has won her last ten tie‑breaks at the event, leveraged her experience to edge through to the semifinals.
This victory extended Sabalenka’s flawless head‑to‑head record against Noskova to 3‑0. Their previous meetings included a win for Sabalenka in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and a triumph in the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier in the current season. For Noskova, the loss meant the end of a potential historic run; she could have become the first woman since Naomi Osaka to claim back‑to‑back Grand Slam titles, having captured the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. In the broader context of the tournament, Jessica Pegula secured her third consecutive quarter‑final appearance in New York by rallying from a break down in the third set to defeat Emma Navarro 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3.
Pegula’s win set up a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 final, as she now prepares to face Sabalenka for a second straight year. The American has enjoyed a string of recent successes against her compatriot, including a victory at the Cincinnati Open just weeks earlier. Speaking after her win, Pegula described the match as "really tough, really physical" and admitted that she was not serving at her best.
She emphasized her mental approach, saying, "I do a great job on having a short‑term memory; every time I come out I have to tell the negative part of me to shut up and just play tennis and compete." Her focus on staying present and shutting out self‑doubt reflects the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level. Sabalenka, in her post‑match interview, reflected on the importance of staying relaxed under pressure.
"Thinking the match was over helped me feel loose and go for my shots," she said. "I am super happy to get this win – a tough match, tough battle.
These crowds, the tie‑breaks, and the high‑pressure moments boost my confidence and my energy. For now I just want to relax, recover, and reflect on what happened." The match itself began with Sabalenka breaking Noskova to love in the second game, racing to a 5‑2 lead.
However, the Czech player fought back, taking four of the next five games to level the set at 6‑6. The first tie‑break was dominated by Sabalenka, who won it 7‑1 after Noskova managed only a single point from an ace. In the second set, Noskova held her serve early, even saving break points in the opening game, and later broke Sabalenka at 3‑2, capitalizing on a double fault from the world No. 1.
Sabalenka responded by saving a break point with an ace in the following game, and eventually broke back to keep the set competitive. Noskova eventually secured the second set 6‑3, forcing a decisive third set. Early in the final set, Noskova broke Sabalenka in the fifth game, gaining a crucial advantage as Sabalenka double‑faulted twice.
Yet Sabalenka’s experience shone through; she fought back to 4‑4, and the set proceeded to a second tie‑break. This time, the breaker was more evenly contested, but Sabalenka again emerged victorious, this time 10‑7, showcasing her composure in clutch moments.
Commentator Tim Henman of Sky Sports highlighted Sabalenka’s exceptional tie‑break record, noting that while she may have displayed occasional lapses in lower‑profile tournaments, she consistently delivers when the stakes are highest. "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 observed.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka will need to maintain her physical and mental sharpness as she prepares for the semifinal against Pegula. Both players have demonstrated the ability to battle through adversity, and their upcoming clash promises to be a showcase of power, precision, and psychological resilience. For Sabalenka, the reward is not just another Grand Slam title but also the chance to solidify her dominance at the top of the women's game. Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage extending through Sunday, September 13.
The tournament remains a focal point for tennis enthusiasts worldwide, offering high‑quality competition, dramatic storylines, and the potential for historic achievements as players vie for the coveted US Open trophy.