Aryna Sabalenka maintained her hopes of a third successive US Open title with a battling three-set win over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in an absorbing quarter-final – a result that retains her status as world No 1 for at least one more day.
The 28-year-old beat Noskova 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (10-7), coming through two tie-breaks – and a 4-2 deficit in the final set – as she sealed victory with a second-serve ace to set up a meeting with Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka needs to win in New York to have any chance of staying as world No 1 but will definitely lose that spot if Elena Rybakina – who defeated Sabalenka in this year’s Australian Open final – overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her quarter-final on Wednesday.
If Rybakina is beaten, then Pegula or Coco Gauff could rise to the top of the rankings should they win the tournament at Flushing Meadows on Saturday evening.
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Sabalenka is aiming to win a third straight US Open title
Sabalenka, world No 1 for 99 consecutive weeks, is looking to become the first woman to win the US Open three times in a row since Serena Williams from 2012-14.
Noskova, who had forced a first-set tie-break from 5-2 down, double faulted at 3-3 in the final-set breaker and then slipped 8-6 down after an unfortunate net cord, before Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter-final and won her last 10 tie-breaks at the event, edged into the last four.
Sabalenka extended her immaculate career record versus Noskova to 3-0 after previously seeing off the 21-year-old in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and then the Indian Wells semi-finals earlier this year.
Noskova will not become the first woman to secure back-to-back Grand Slams since Naomi Osaka claimed the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open after seeing her 11-match winning streak in majors come to an end.
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Pegula reached her third consecutive quarter-final in New York after she battled back from a break down in the third set. to beat Emma Navarro 3-6 6-4 6-3.
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Noskova was hoping to become the first back-to-back Grand Slam winner since Naomi Osaka in 2021
Sabalenka: I thought the match was over
Aryna Sabalenka, speaking in her on-court interview:
“Thinking the match is over is probably what helped me to feel loose, go for my shots. I am super happy to get this win – a tough match, tough battle.
“These kind of crowds, tie-breaks, and these matches that are such high pressure boost my confidence and my energy.
“For now I just want to relax, recover, and reflect on what happened.”
How Sabalenka fought past Noskova
Sabalenka broke Noskova to love in the second game of the match en route to a 5-2 lead, only to then lose four of the next five games as her Czech opponent fought back to 6-6.
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Sabalenka has never lost a US Open quarter-final
The first-set tie-break, however, was completely one-sided with Noskova’s only point coming via an ace out wide as her double fault and Sabalenka’s power settled things.
Noskova staved off break points early in the second set, including in the first game, and carved out two of her own on the Sabelanka serve at 3-2 up, taking the second of those when her rival produced an untimely double fault.
Sabalenka saved break point with an ace in her subsequent service game before Noskova went on to set up a deciding set by converting a fourth set point.
Noskova became favourite when she broke Sabalenka in the fifth game of the third set, with the world No 1 twice double-faulting in that game, but Sabalenka dug deep to level the match at 4-4 before the enthralled spectators were treated to another tie-break.
The second breaker was far more competitive than the first, yet Sabalenka came out on the right side of it once again to stay on course for a three-peat.
Henman: Sabalenka comes up with the big shots
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Sabalenka has held onto her No 1 world ranking for at least one more day
Sky Sports Tennis’ Tim Henman on Aryna Sabalenka:
“Some of her [bad form] has been in lesser tournaments, where her intensity and concentration hasn’t been quite as good. But when you face someone the quality of your opponent, you have to stand and deliver.
“Her tie-break record is absolutely phenomenal. When it comes to the most pressure-packed moments, she’s the one that comes up with the big shots.”
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