NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Linda Noskova of Czechia during their Women’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka remains alive for the three-peat at the U.S. Open.
And she can maintain her world No. 1 ranking.
The current world No. 1 and two-time defending champion fended off Wimbledon champion and No. 6 seed Linda Noskova, 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) after being down a break in the third set in the quarterfinals in a sun-splashed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka is into her sixth straight U.S. Open semifinal, where she will face either Jessica Pegula, against whom she is 9-4, or Emma Navarro, against whom she is 2-1.
“Oh my God, guys, what an incredible player she is,” Sabalenka said on court of Noskova. “I’m speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit in this match, especially in the third set. I honestly thought that that’s it, the match was over and probably that’s what helped me to feel loose and just go for my shots.
“Super happy to get this win.”
Four women remain alive for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Elena Rybakina will finish the year at No. 1 if she wins her quarterfinal match against Qinwen Zheng on Wednesday, while Sabalenka and Americans Pegula and Coco Gauff can also become No. 1 if they win the title and Rybakina loses in the quarters.
In the tiebreak, Noskova earned a mini-break for 1-0 but gave one back when Sabalenka hit a deep return winner to make it 2-1 Noskova.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Aryna Sabalenka in action against Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the quarter-final on Day 10 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2026 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Sabalenka went ahead 4-3 on a double-fault by Noskova and then crushed her 17th forehand winner for 5-3 on her serve. Sabalenka smacked a service winner for 6-3.
Noskova held on both her service points, including a 110 mph ace up the T, to make it 5-6.
With Noskova serving at 6-8, she smacked a forehand winner down the line off a net cord to cut it to 8-7.
Sabalenka hit a 107 mph service winner for 9-7. And then smacked a second-serve ace out wide to win the match.
“I’m super glad that somehow I made that ace,” she said. “It was a very important point and it just shows that I’m ready to fight and I’m happy to see that.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Linda Noskova of Czechia returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka during their Women’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Getty Images
After Noskova broke to go ahead 4-2 in the third set, Sabalenka went on a mini-run and broke back for 4-all.
Sabalenka then held for 5-4 with an ace up the T.
U.S. Open officials opted to close the roof while Noskova was serving at 4-5 in the third, changing the shadows on the court. But she held without issue for 5-all.
Sabalenka won 12 of 13 points on her serve and held for 6-5.
Serving at 5-6, 15-30, Noskova calmly ripped a 112-mph ace up the T for 30-all. She held with a service winner to force the tiebreak.
“For now, I just want to relax, recover and reflect on what just happened,” Sabalenka said.
Be the first to comment