Aryna Sabalenka fought back from the brink on Tuesday in New York’s Flushing Meadows, defeating Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to advance to the US Open semifinals. The win preserves Sabalenka’s bid for a third straight title and a chance to hold onto the world No. 1 ranking, which she has occupied for 99 consecutive weeks.
Match highlights
The quarterfinal was a marathon of tight moments. Sabalenka claimed the opening set in a tiebreak, 7-6 (1), before Noskova responded with a 6-3 second set. The decisive third set also went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka prevailed 10-7 after a dramatic exchange of points.
Sabalenka sealed the match with a second‑serve ace, sending the crowd at Flushing Meadows into a roar. She later described the experience as a “battle” and said she felt “speechless” at the intensity of the third set, noting that she briefly thought the match was over before finding the composure to finish strong.
Statistical snapshot
Noskova hit 46 winners compared with Sabalenka’s 42, while the Russian served 18 aces to Sabalenka’s 12. Both players displayed aggressive play, ending points quickly and showcasing impressive speed on the court.
Sabalenka also demonstrated resilience by changing rackets mid‑match during the third set, a move that appeared to help her regain touch and confidence. After falling behind 2‑0 in the match tiebreak, she capitalized on a Noskova double‑fault to pull even at 4‑3 and then captured the next two points to secure the lead.
Implications for the tournament
With the victory, Sabalenka will face either No. 3 Jessica Pegula or No. 26 Emma Navarro in Thursday’s semifinal. A win there would guarantee her a third consecutive US Open crown.
Meanwhile, the world No. 1 ranking remains at stake. If No. 2 Elena Rybakina defeats Zheng Qinwen in her quarterfinal, Sabalenka will retain the top spot regardless of the final outcome. A loss for Rybakina would open the door for Sabalenka to lose the ranking if she does not capture the title.
Context and background
Noskova, the No. 6 seed, entered the tournament after winning Wimbledon this year, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach a major final on grass and then advance to the US Open semifinals on hard courts. This quarterfinal marks her best performance at the US Open to date; she previously reached a major quarterfinal only at the 2024 Australian Open.
Sabalenka entered the US Open after a stretch of uncharacteristic results on hard courts, having fallen in the fourth round of both the Toronto and Cincinnati events and exiting Wimbledon at the same stage. She rebounded in New York, not dropping a set en route to the quarterfinals.
Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz will play No. 8 Ben Shelton in his quarterfinal, while No. 11 Frances Tiafoe meets fellow American Alex Michelsen in the other men’s quarterfinal.
The US Open continues to deliver high‑stakes drama as the field narrows, with both men’s and women’s draws featuring compelling storylines that could shape the remainder of the Grand Slam.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
