Aryna Sabalenka kept her dream of a third straight US Open triumph alive after edging out Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a gripping three‑set quarter‑final clash. The victory not only propelled her into the semifinals but also ensured she would retain the world No.
1 ranking for at least another day. The 28‑year‑old Belarusian secured the win by a narrow margin of 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 match with a crisp second‑serve ace that set up a showdown with fellow American Jessica Pegula. While Sabalenka’s win keeps her on top for now, her hold on the No.
1 spot is far from guaranteed. She must capture the title in New York to maintain her ranking. A loss in the final would see her overtaken by Elena Rybakina—who defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year—if Rybakina can overcome Qinwen Zheng in her own quarter‑final on Wednesday.
Should Rybakina falter, the door would open for Pegula or Coco Gauff to ascend to the top of the rankings, provided they win the tournament on Saturday evening at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has been world No. 1 for an impressive 99 consecutive weeks and is eyeing a historic feat: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2012‑14) to capture three consecutive US Open crowns.
Her opponent, Noskova, had fought valiantly, forcing a first‑set tie‑break after trailing 5‑2, but a double fault at 3‑3 in the final‑set breaker and a slip that left her 8‑6 down after a net‑cord mishap proved costly. Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter‑final and boasts a perfect record in her last ten tie‑breaks at the event, ultimately edged into the last four. The head‑to‑head between the two now stands at 3‑0 in Sabalenka’s favour. She previously bested the 21‑year‑old in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and again in the Indian Wells semi‑finals earlier this season.
Noskova’s hopes of joining Naomi Osaka as the most recent woman to win back‑to‑back Grand Slams were dashed, ending her impressive 11‑match major winning streak. Pegula, meanwhile, earned her third straight quarter‑final berth in New York by clawing back from a break down in the third set to defeat Emma Navarro 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3. The American will now meet the two‑time defending champion Sabalenka in a rematch of the 2024 final, having secured her fifth consecutive victory over her compatriot, including a win at last month’s Cincinnati Open. Reflecting on her performance, Pegula told the crowd, "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 onto the court I have to tell the negative part of me to shut up and just play tennis and compete." Sabalenka, during her post‑match interview, explained her mindset: "Thinking the match was over actually 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 high‑pressure moments really 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.
However, the Czech rallied, taking four of the next five games to force a 6‑6 tie‑break. The first breaker was one‑sided; Noskova managed only a single point—a wide ace—while Sabalenka’s power and precision carried her through 7‑1. In the second set, Noskova resisted early break points and even broke Sabalenka twice, capitalising on a double fault from the world No. 1 at 3‑2.
Sabalenka responded by saving a break point with an ace, but Noskova eventually clinched the set 6‑3, setting up a decisive third set. The final set saw Noskova break Sabalenka in the fifth game, aided by two double faults from the Belarusian.
Sabalenka, refusing to capitulate, fought back to level the set at 4‑4. The tension culminated in a second tie‑break, this one far more contested than the first. Sabalenka’s composure under pressure shone through as she edged the breaker 10‑7, sealing her place in the semifinals.
Former British tennis star Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, noted, "Some of her dips in form have come in lower‑tier events where her intensity and concentration dip. But when you face top‑level opponents, she steps up. Her tie‑break record is phenomenal; in the most pressure‑filled moments she delivers the big shots." Looking ahead, Sabalenka will need to maintain her mental fortitude and physical stamina to navigate the remaining rounds.
The prospect of a historic three‑peat adds both motivation and pressure, especially as rivals like Rybakina, Pegula, and Gauff remain in contention for the top ranking. Fans can continue to follow the drama live on Sky Sports until Sunday, September 13, and stream the action without a contract via NOW.