Aryna Sabalenka kept her quest for a third straight US Open crown alive after edging a gritty three‑set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a compelling quarter‑final encounter. The win not only propelled her into the semifinals but also secured her position as the world No. 1 for at least another day, underscoring the high stakes that still surround the New York tournament. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian clinched the match 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7), navigating two tie‑breaks and overcoming a 4-2 deficit in the decisive set.
She sealed the victory with a crisp ace on her second serve, earning a semifinal showdown with fellow American Jessica Pegula. For Sabalenka, a triumph in New York remains essential if she hopes to retain her top‑ranking status. However, she faces a potential dethronement should Elena Rybakina—who bested her in the Australian Open final earlier this year—defeat Qinwen Zheng in her own quarter‑final on Wednesday.
If Rybakina falls, the door opens for Pegula or Coco Gauff to ascend to world No. 1, provided they capture the title at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has now held the No. 1 ranking for 99 consecutive weeks and is eyeing a historic feat: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012 to 2014) to capture the trophy three years in a row.
Her flawless record in US Open quarter‑finals—never having lost at this stage—and a streak of ten consecutive tie‑break victories at the event further highlight her mental toughness. Noskova, the 21‑year‑old Czech, fought valiantly. After forcing a first‑set tie‑break from a 5-2 disadvantage, she double‑faulted at 3-3 in the final‑set breaker and slipped to 8-6 following an unfortunate net cord.
Yet Sabalenka, who had never before been beaten in a US Open quarter‑final, leveraged her experience and composure to edge ahead. This victory extended Sabalenka’s head‑to‑head dominance over Noskova to 3-0, having previously defeated her in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and at the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier in the season. For Noskova, the loss ended any hopes of becoming the first woman since Naomi Osaka to win back‑to‑back Grand Slams (Osaka captured the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open). Osaka’s 11‑match major winning streak was snapped, and Noskova’s own streak in majors concluded with this quarter‑final exit.
Pegula, meanwhile, secured her third straight 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. The American will now face the two‑time defending champion Sabalenka in a rematch of the 2024 final, having enjoyed a five‑match winning streak over her compatriot, including a victory at last month’s Cincinnati Open.
Speaking after her win, Pegula described the match as "really tough, really physical," noting that she was not serving at her best and was battling internal doubts. "I have a short‑term memory and I tell the negative part of me to shut up and just play tennis and compete," she explained, emphasizing the mental discipline required at this level. 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, the pressure‑filled 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 6-6.
The first tie‑break was one‑sided; Noskova managed only a single point from an ace, while Sabalenka’s powerful serving sealed the set. In the second set, Noskova saved early break points and even broke 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 eventually forced a third‑set decider after converting a fourth set point. The third set saw Noskova break Sabalenka in the fifth game, gaining a brief advantage as Sabalenka double‑faulted twice. Yet Sabalenka dug deep, leveling the set at 4-4 and forcing another tie‑break. This second breaker proved more contested, but Sabalenka’s composure under pressure saw her prevail once again, keeping her three‑peat aspirations intact.
Commentator Tim Henman of Sky Sports praised Sabalenka’s resilience, noting that while she has shown occasional lapses in lower‑profile tournaments, she consistently elevates her game against top‑ranked opponents. "Her tie‑break record is absolutely phenomenal.
In the most pressure‑packed moments, she’s the one who delivers the big shots," Henman observed. Looking ahead, Sabalenka must maintain her high level to fend off challenges from Rybakina, Pegula, and Gauff, all of whom have the potential to upset the ranking hierarchy. The semifinal promises a clash of styles: Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline power versus Pegula’s relentless consistency and tactical acumen.
Both players have demonstrated the ability to adapt mid‑match, a quality that will be crucial in a potential five‑set showdown, even though women’s Grand Slam matches remain best‑of‑three. Beyond the immediate stakes, Sabalenka’s performance carries broader implications for the sport. A third consecutive US Open title would cement her legacy alongside legends like Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova, while also highlighting the growing depth of women's tennis, where multiple players vie for the top spot. Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports through September 13, with streaming options available via NOW for those seeking contract‑free access to tennis and other premier sports events.