New York – In a dramatic quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows, Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka fought back from the brink to defeat Czech seed Linda Noskova, 7‑6 (1), 3‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7). The win preserves Sabalenka’s hope of a third consecutive US Open title and maintains her grip on the top spot in the women’s rankings.
Match highlights
Sabalenka described the contest as “a battle” and said she was “speechless” at how close she came to losing the third set. After falling behind 4‑2 in the final set tiebreak, she rallied with a second‑serve ace to clinch the match.
Noskova, the No. 6 seed and Wimbledon champion, matched Sabalenka shot for shot, finishing with 46 winners to Sabalenka’s 42 and 18 aces to Sabalenka’s 12. Both players displayed aggressive play, ending points quickly and showcasing impressive speed on the court.
Implications for rankings
Sabalenka entered the match needing a win to keep any chance of retaining her No. 1 ranking. She will face either No. 3 Jessica Pegula or No. 26 Emma Navarro in Thursday’s semifinal. If No. 2 Elena Rybakina defeats Zheng Qinwen in her quarterfinal, Sabalenka will lose the top ranking after 99 consecutive weeks. A loss for Rybakina would allow Sabalenka to keep the No. 1 spot by winning the title.
Noskova’s breakthrough
Noskova, who captured her first major title at Wimbledon earlier this year, came close to becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to win a grass‑court major and then reach the US Open semifinals. She praised Sabalenka’s effort, noting that the Belarusian “played the best tennis she could in those moments.”
Sabalenka’s recent form
Sabalenka entered the US Open after a challenging hard‑court season, exiting in the fourth round of both the Toronto and Cincinnati tournaments and falling early at Wimbledon. However, she arrived in New York in strong form, not dropping a set en route to the quarterfinals.
During the match, Sabalenka briefly changed rackets in the third set to regain her feel. She also overcame a 2‑0 deficit in the final‑set tiebreak, pulling ahead after Noskova double‑faulted to make it 4‑3, then winning the next two points for crucial breathing room.
Looking ahead
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be determined after the remaining quarterfinals conclude. A victory would set up a potential showdown with either Pegula or Navarro, while a win in the final would give Sabalenka the chance to become the first player since Serena Williams to win three straight US Open titles.
Both athletes demonstrated the resilience and competitive spirit that define Grand Slam tennis, delivering a match that will be remembered for its intensity and high‑quality play.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
