Aryna Sabalenka survives thriller to keep US Open three-peat dream alive

VoS NEWS DESK | US OPEN 2026

Sabalenka entered the quarter-final as the clear favourite, but Noskova produced a fearless performance that pushed the two-time defending champion to the limit. The Czech sixth seed fired 18 aces and repeatedly challenged Sabalenka from the baseline, refusing to allow the world No. 1 to dictate the match.

The opening set went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka immediately raised her level and raced through it 7–1. However, Noskova responded strongly in the second set, using her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes to take control. A break for a 4–2 lead helped her level the match at one set apiece.

The deciding set became a test of nerves. Noskova moved into a promising position and appeared capable of producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Sabalenka, however, recovered her composure, fought back and forced another tiebreak.

In the final tiebreak, the defending champion showed why she remains one of the most dangerous players on the Grand Slam stage. Sabalenka maintained her aggression under enormous pressure before closing out the match 10–7, securing another appearance in the US Open semi-finals.

The victory also keeps alive Sabalenka's attempt to achieve a historic third consecutive US Open women's singles title. Only a small number of players in the Open Era have managed such a run, making the Belarusian's New York campaign one of the biggest stories of the tournament.

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Sabalenka's victory was not simply about power. It was a demonstration of resilience under pressure. For much of the match, Noskova was able to challenge the defending champion's rhythm, particularly with her serving and aggressive return game.

The biggest turning point came when Sabalenka refused to panic after falling behind in the deciding set. Instead of abandoning her attacking style, she regained control at crucial moments and forced the match into a second tiebreak.

For Noskova, the defeat nevertheless represents another major step forward. After winning Wimbledon earlier this year, the 21-year-old has now shown that she can compete against the world's best on the biggest stages. Her performance against Sabalenka suggests that she is rapidly becoming one of the leading figures in women's tennis.

For Sabalenka, the challenge now becomes even greater. She is only two victories away from a historic US Open three-peat, but the pressure surrounding that achievement is enormous. She has also acknowledged the importance of shutting out external expectations and concentrating on each match individually.

The key question for the US Open now is: can Sabalenka maintain this level of resilience and complete a historic third consecutive title in New York?

Source: Reuters • WTA • US Open • The Guardian • VoS News Desk.