Sabalenka overcomes Noskova in dramatic US Open quarterfinal to retain No.1 hopes

Few women's players in the modern WTA era have successfully defended the US Open title three years in a row. Aryna Sabalenka understands that pressure better than anyone, and once again she had to overcome a Wimbledon champion hungry to prove herself. On Tuesday at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to reach the US Open semifinals for the sixth consecutive year. It was not easy against a young Noskova, who just lifted the title at the All England Club and had a chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2026 to reach the semifinals in New York after winning Wimbledon. This was a match where Sabalenka controlled the key moments but also showed rare signs of instability. In the first set, both players held serve well under the pressure of their opponent. The set was decided in a tiebreak, where Sabalenka raised her level and won it 7-1 with powerful forehands. Unlike many players who drop after winning the first set, Sabalenka kept her rhythm, but Noskova responded strongly at the start of the second. The 20-year-old Czech, who became Wimbledon champion, proved why she belongs at the top level. She read the match better, returned Sabalenka's powerful serves from deep angles, and dragged her opponent into long rallies. This aggressive approach helped Noskova finish the second set 6-3 and force a decider. The third set became a tense battle. Both players understood that one small mistake could change the outcome. Sabalenka used more first serves; Noskova raised her consistency on the backhand. The crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium saw a match in which no one wanted to give an inch, and everything was decided by a 10-point tiebreak. Sabalenka saved critical points and closed the match with an ace on her second serve, a decision only an experienced champion would make. The victory kept Sabalenka's hopes of retaining the WTA No.1 ranking alive. She needed to win to avoid losing the top spot to her chasers. But this was not just about ranking — Sabalenka is chasing her third consecutive US Open title, a rare feat in modern tennis. The match against Noskova was a reminder that her road is becoming tougher. For Noskova, the defeat did not diminish her progress. She showed a suitable game style and big-match temperament. If Wimbledon was her launch, this US Open quarterfinal showed she is capable of competing with the best on any surface. Her story on hard courts is far from over. In the semifinals, Sabalenka will face either No.3 Jessica Pegula or No.26 Emma Navarro. Both American players are in solid form this tournament. Against Pegula, Sabalenka will have to deal with excellent return of serve. Against Navarro, she must be wary of her aggressive groundstrokes. Yet Sabalenka is returning with more experience and a calm mind after these tense moments. What stands out is that Sabalenka has reached the US Open semifinals six years in a row — remarkable consistency on a fast surface full of surprises. Vietnamese fans, who are increasingly following Grand Slam tournaments, have another reason to watch her next performance. But the path remains long: from the semifinal to the possible final, there are many more obstacles ahead. One small but telling detail was her second-serve ace at 10-10 in the final tiebreak. Not many players would take such a risk in a crucial moment. She trusted her serve and put the match on the right path. That shows the level of a champion is not only about forehands or foot speed, but about decision-making within split seconds. Can Sabalenka make history? What is happening in New York this year proves that defending a title is never easy. But with her class, experience, and calmness in tiebreaks, she deserves to be considered the No.1 favorite. The upcoming semifinal will provide a clearer answer about how ready Sabalenka is for a US Open hat-trick.