Aryna Sabalenka kept her dream of a third straight US Open crown alive after edging a hard‑fought three‑set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping quarter‑final. The win not only pushes her into the semifinals but also guarantees she will remain world No.
1 for at least another day. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian prevailed 7‑6 (7‑1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7), surviving two tie‑breaks and clawing back from a 4‑2 deficit in the deciding set. She sealed the match with a crisp ace on her second serve, earning a place in the next round opposite Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka must capture the title in New York to preserve her top‑ranking status. However, her hold on the No. 1 spot is precarious because a victory by Elena Rybakina—who beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year—over Qinwen Zheng in their quarter‑final would dethrone her.
Should Rybakina fall, the ranking could swing to Pegula or Coco Gauff if either of them lifts the trophy on Saturday night at Flushing Meadows. Having reigned as world No.
1 for 99 consecutive weeks, Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012 to 2014) to claim the event three times in a row. Her flawless record in US Open quarter‑finals and a streak of ten consecutive tie‑break wins at the tournament underscored her composure under pressure. Noskova, the 21‑year‑old Czech who forced a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2, double‑faulted at 3‑3 in the final‑set breaker and later slipped to 8‑6 following an ill‑timed net cord.
Sabalenka, who had never lost a US Open quarter‑final before, leveraged her experience to edge into the last four. This victory extended Sabalenka’s perfect head‑to‑head record against Noskova to 3‑0; she had previously defeated the younger player in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and at the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier this season.
For Noskova, the loss meant the end of an 11‑match Grand Slam winning streak and denied her the chance to become the first woman since Naomi Osaka to win back‑to‑back majors (Osaka captured the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open). Despite the disappointment, Noskova showed flashes of brilliance, especially in the second set where she held her own against the world’s top player.
Pegula, meanwhile, secured her third straight US Open quarter‑final by rallying from a break down in the third set to beat Emma Navarro 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3. The American will now meet the two‑time defending champion Sabalenka, a rematch of the 2024 final, after extending her winning streak over her compatriot to five matches, including a recent triumph at the Cincinnati Open. Speaking after her win, Pegula described the contest as "really tough, really physical" and admitted she was not serving at her best, adding that she had to battle personal doubts on court. "I have a short‑term memory; every time I step out I have to tell the negative side of me to shut up and just play tennis and compete," she said.
Sabalenka, in her post‑match interview, reflected on her mindset: "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, the tie‑breaks, and high‑pressure moments boost my confidence and 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.
In the second set, Noskova saved early break points and even earned two break opportunities of her own at 3‑2, converting one after Sabalenka double‑faulted. Sabalenka responded by saving a break point with an ace, but Noskova later captured a set point to force a deciding third set.
The third set saw Noskova break Sabalenka in the fifth game, capitalising on two double faults from the world No. 1.
Sabalenka fought back, leveling the set at 4‑4 and forcing another tie‑break. This time the breaker was far more contested, yet Sabalenka’s experience shone through as she claimed the crucial points and ultimately the match.
Tim Henman of Sky Sports Tennis praised Sabalenka’s mental fortitude, noting that while she has shown occasional lapses in lower‑profile events, she elevates her game against top‑tier 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 observed. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sabalenka’s quest for a historic three‑peat and the ranking battle that will unfold depending on the outcomes of the remaining semifinals.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports until September 13, or stream the matches via NOW for contract‑free access to tennis and other premier sports.