Sabalenka Survives Noskova Thriller to Reach Sixth Straight US Open Semi-Final
Aryna Sabalenka has reached the US Open semi-finals for a sixth consecutive year, coming through a three-set quarter-final against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The defending champion is now two wins from becoming the first woman to take three consecutive titles in New York since Serena Williams did so between 2012 and 2014.
Twice Pegged Back
Sabalenka broke to love in the second game and led 5-2 in the opening set, only to lose four of the next five games as Noskova pulled level at 6-6. The tie-break that followed was one-sided, with the Czech's only point arriving via an ace as her double fault and Sabalenka's power settled it 7-1.
But Noskova nonetheless carried momentum into the second set, breaking Sabalenka's rhythm to level the match. She then moved 4-2 ahead in the decider and appeared close to a significant upset, having won 14 of the previous 20 games.
But Sabalenka quickly reminded the world why she is the two-time reigning US Open champ and number one ranked player in the world. She responded by taking 12 of the next 13 points to lead 5-4, and eventually sealed the match in the deciding tie-break with a second-serve ace.
Speaking on court afterwards, Sabalenka said that thinking the match was gone had probably helped her relax and go for her shots, describing it as a tough battle and saying she was delighted to come through it. She added that high-pressure matches and crowds of that kind lift her confidence and energy, and that her immediate priority was to rest and reflect.
She has never lost a US Open quarter-final. Her route to the last four also included wins over Polina Iatcenko, Kamilla Rakhimova and Taylor Townsend, the last of those 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round.
The Ranking Still in Danger
The win keeps Sabalenka at world No. 1 for at least another day, but the position is not secure. She will lose top spot if Elena Rybakina beats Qinwen Zheng in Wednesday's quarter-final, regardless of what happens in the rest of Sabalenka's tournament.
Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in this year's Australian Open final, reached the last eight by dismissing Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in her most convincing performance of the fortnight.
Her opponent Zheng arrived in the quarter-finals after one of the stories of the tournament, recovering from 5-0 down in the opening set to beat Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3. It was the second match running the Chinese qualifier had come back from that deficit, having done the same against Madison Keys two days earlier.
The Rest of the Draw
Elsewhere, Coco Gauff reached her 12th Grand Slam quarter-final with a win over Iva Jovic, extending her current winning streak to ten matches.
The bottom half of the draw produced an all-American quarter-final between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, the first at the US Open since 2015. Navarro reached the last eight for the second time in her career by beating Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2 in 81 minutes, reversing the result of both their previous meetings. Pegula advanced in straight sets against Sorana Cirstea.
The winner of that match faces Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
In the men's draw, Alex Michelsen was unable to hold onto a two-set lead over compatriot Frances Tiafoe in their quarter-final, with the more experienced American coming from behind to secure a spot in the semi-final.
The women's final takes place on 12 September, with the men's final the following day.
