Sabalenka Survives Noskova Thriller To Keep US Open Three-Peat Dream Alive

Aryna Sabalenka survived a dramatic quarterfinal battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova on Tuesday, edging the Czech sixth seed 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7) to keep her bid for a third consecutive US Open title alive.

The world No. 1 appeared to be heading towards a shock defeat after Noskova moved ahead 4-2 in the deciding set. But the defending champion refused to surrender, breaking back at love in the eighth game before forcing the match into a decisive tiebreak.

Sabalenka then regained control when it mattered most. After falling behind early in the match tiebreak, she turned the momentum around and sealed victory with a second-serve ace, reaching the US Open semifinals for the sixth consecutive year.

“What a battle. What an incredible player she is. I'm speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit,” Sabalenka said after the match.

The contest showcased the power of both players. Noskova hit 18 aces and 46 winners, compared with 12 aces and 42 winners for Sabalenka, while the Czech player also saved seven of nine break points.

For Noskova, the defeat ended an impressive tournament. The 21-year-old, who recently won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, had been attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to follow a Wimbledon triumph by reaching the US Open semifinals.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, arrived in New York after disappointing results on the North American hard-court swing, including fourth-round exits in Toronto and Cincinnati. She has now rediscovered her form at Flushing Meadows and remains two victories away from a historic US Open three-peat. If she succeeds, she would join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women in the Open Era to win the tournament three years in a row.

Her No. 1 ranking is also at stake. Sabalenka has held the top position for 99 consecutive weeks, but Elena Rybakina can take over the ranking by reaching the semifinals.

Sabalenka will next face Jessica Pegula, who defeated fellow American Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the other quarterfinal.

On the men's side, Frances Tiafoe also produced a comeback victory, rallying from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen and book a semifinal place.