Aryna Sabalenka kept her dream of a third straight US Open crown alive after edging out Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping three‑set quarter‑final clash. The win not only pushed her into the semifinals but also guaranteed she would remain world No. 1 for at least another day, as the ranking battle remains tight. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian survived a roller‑coaster match, prevailing 7‑6 (7‑1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7).
She survived two tie‑breaks and even rallied from a 4‑2 deficit in the final set, sealing the victory with a decisive ace on her second serve. That triumph sets up a semifinal showdown with American Jessica Pegula, who has been on a hot streak in New York.
Sabalenka’s path to retaining the top ranking is now dependent on her own performance and the outcomes of other quarter‑finals. If she captures the title, she will unquestionably stay at No. 1. However, a loss would hand the ranking to Elena Rybakina—provided Rybakina overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her own quarter‑final on Wednesday.
Should Rybakina be eliminated, the door opens for Pegula or fellow American Coco Gauff to ascend to the summit, assuming either of them lifts the trophy on Saturday night at Flushing Meadows. Having held the No.
1 spot for an astonishing 99 consecutive weeks, Sabalenka is chasing a historic feat: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012 to 2014) to claim the tournament three years in a row. That achievement would cement her legacy as one of the era’s most dominant players.
Noskova, the 21‑year‑old Czech, fought valiantly. She forced a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2, only to double‑fault at 3‑3 in the decisive third‑set breaker and then slip to 8‑6 after an unfortunate net cord. Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter‑final and boasts a perfect record in her last ten tie‑breaks at the venue, ultimately edged forward into the last four.
The head‑to‑head between the two now stands at 3‑0 in Sabalenka’s favor. She previously defeated Noskova in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and again at the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier this year. For Noskova, the loss ends any hope of joining Naomi Osaka as the most recent woman to win back‑to‑back Grand Slams; Osaka captured the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open.
Pegula’s quarter‑final victory over Emma Navarro (3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3) marked her third straight appearance in the New York quarter‑finals. She overcame a break down in the third set, demonstrating resilience that will be tested again against the defending champion Sabalenka. Their upcoming match is a rematch of the 2024 final, and Pegula enters with a psychological edge, having beaten Sabalenka five times in a row, including a recent triumph at the Cincinnati Open.
After her win, Pegula reflected on the physical toll: "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 voice to shut up and just play tennis and compete." Her candid remarks highlight the mental battle that accompanies the physical demands of Grand Slam tennis. Sabalenka’s post‑match interview revealed a calm confidence: "Thinking the match was over probably helped me stay loose and go for my shots.
I'm super happy to get this win – it was a tough match, a 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." Her ability to stay composed under pressure has become a hallmark of her game, especially in tie‑break situations where she has an almost flawless record. The match narrative unfolded with Sabalenka breaking Noskova to love in the second game, racing to a 5‑2 lead before the Czech rallied to level the set at 6‑6.
The first tie‑break was dominated by Sabalenka; Noskova managed only a single point, an ace that went wide, while Sabalenka’s powerful serving sealed the set. In the second set, Noskova held her nerve, saving break points early and even breaking Sabalenka at 3‑2.
She capitalized on a double fault from Sabalenka to take the set 6‑3. Sabalenka, however, responded with an ace to save a break point in her next service game, and Noskova later set up a deciding third set by converting a fourth set point. The third set saw Noskova break Sabalenka in the fifth game, aided by two double faults from the world No. 1.
Sabalenka dug deep, leveling the set at 4‑4 before forcing another tie‑break. This second breaker was far more contested than the first, yet Sabalenka once again emerged victorious, demonstrating why she excels in the most pressure‑filled moments. Former British great Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Sabalenka’s mental fortitude: "Some of her dip in form has been in lesser tournaments where her intensity and concentration haven’t been as sharp.
But when you face a top‑level opponent, you have to step up. Her tie‑break record is absolutely phenomenal. In the most pressure‑packed moments, she delivers the big shots." His analysis underscores Sabalenka’s reputation as a clutch performer.
Looking ahead, the semifinal promises a clash of contrasting styles: Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline power versus Pegula’s relentless consistency and tactical acumen. Both players have shown the ability to grind out wins, and the match could hinge on who handles the pressure better in the crucial moments. For fans eager to watch the action, the US Open will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports through Sunday, September 13. The tournament’s schedule remains packed with high‑stakes matches, and the race for the No.
1 ranking adds an extra layer of intrigue to every point played on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. As the tournament progresses, the narrative of Sabalenka’s quest for a historic three‑peat will captivate tennis enthusiasts worldwide, while Pegula’s pursuit of her first Grand Slam title will inspire a new generation of American players. The semifinal showdown will not only determine who advances to the final but also shape the future of women’s tennis rankings for months to come.