Sabalenka Fights Off Noskova to Keep US Open Three-Peat Bid Alive

The update

Aryna Sabalenka kept her bid for a third consecutive US Open title alive with a dramatic victory over Linda Noskova. The two-time defending champion rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third set and 2-0 down in the tiebreaker to secure a 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory in nearly two and a half hours. Sabalenka struck 42 winners but struggled to convert break points, while Noskova fired 18 aces and became the first player to take a set off Sabalenka in this year’s tournament.

Why it matters

The victory extends Sabalenka’s remarkable streak to 19 consecutive wins at the US Open, making her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six consecutive semifinals at Flushing Meadows. This win also temporarily keeps her world number one ranking intact, though she faces pressure to secure another title to maintain that position. The match demonstrated Sabalenka’s ability to overcome adversity and mental challenges, which has been a focus point in her recent tournament performances.

What to watch

Sabalenka will next face either third seed Jessica Pegula or Emma Navarro in the semifinals. Her path to a third consecutive title will require her to maintain her composure under pressure, as she has shown in this tournament after previous struggles with emotions. The question remains whether she can channel this fighting spirit through to the final and potentially make history with a three-peat.

Sources

• aljazeera.com — match details, statistics, and post-match comments
• bbc.co.uk — tournament context, ranking implications, and historical significance