In an intense showdown at the US Open quarter-finals, Aryna Sabalenka faced a tough challenge from Linda Noskova, but managed to secure a hard-fought victory. The world No. 1, although not at her best, held her nerve in critical moments to win the match 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7), keeping her hopes for a third consecutive title alive.
Noskova entered the match with a history of defeats against Sabalenka, having lost both of their previous encounters without claiming a set. However, this time, the young Czech player showed remarkable resilience and determination. She had already demonstrated her fighting spirit earlier in the tournament, overcoming a dramatic fourth-round match against Marta Kostyuk where she saved five match points.
From the outset, Sabalenka looked strong, breaking Noskova early and taking a 5-2 lead. But Noskova quickly countered, winning three games in a row to level the score. The first set went into a tie-break, where Sabalenka showcased her best play, jumping to a 6-0 lead and securing the set 7-1.
The second set was a different story, as Noskova took control after capitalizing on a double fault from Sabalenka. She held her advantage and ultimately won the set 6-3, marking the first set Sabalenka had dropped in the tournament.
The tension peaked in the dramatic third set. After dropping serve and trailing 4-2, Sabalenka faced significant pressure as Noskova had three break points. Feeling the heat, Sabalenka showed signs of frustration but managed to save one break point before eventually losing her serve. However, she quickly turned things around, breaking back to equalize at 4-4.
As both players fought for the win, the match reached another tie-break. Sabalenka led early before Noskova mounted a comeback, closing the gap to give fans an edge-of-their-seat finish. In the end, Sabalenka sealed her victory with a strong ace, marking her spot in the semi-finals.
This win means Sabalenka has now reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the sixth time in a row and the 15th time at Grand Slam events. She joins Serena Williams as the only woman to accomplish this feat at the US Open, as Williams achieved it from 2011 to 2016. Sabalenka maintains an impressive 18-match winning streak at this tournament and remains just two wins away from completing a historic three-peat.
