Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in a thrilling US Open 2026 quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the semifinals.
Aryna Sabalenka Survives Noskova in Epic US Open Quarterfinal Clash
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kept her hopes of a historic US Open three-peat alive after surviving a grueling three-set quarterfinal battle against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Playing under the bright lights of an electric Arthur Ashe Stadium, the two-time defending champion dug exceptionally deep to secure a hard-fought 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 victory, successfully booking her place in a staggering sixth consecutive US Open semifinal. See also:Â Aryna Sabalenka Extends US Open Winning Streak to 17 Matches
Sabalenka Strikes First in Tense Opening Set
The top-seeded Belarusian came out firing, clearly determined to assert her baseline dominance against the talented Czech star. Sabalenka aggressively drilled powerful groundstrokes down the line, establishing a rapid 3-0 advantage. However, Noskova demonstrated the immense resilience that led her to Grand Slam glory earlier this summer. The 21-year-old fought back valiantly, utilizing rocket returns to restore parity and force a first-set tiebreak. Sabalenka’s big-match experience ultimately shone through in the breaker, storming to a commanding win to claim the early lead.
Noskova Responds with Precision and Power
Refusing to back down, the sixth-seeded Noskova boldly shifted the momentum during the second set. Capitalizing on a few uncharacteristic errors and a costly double fault from Sabalenka, Noskova broke the world number one’s serve and surged ahead 4-2. Noskova beautifully utilized acute drop shots and incredibly heavy serving to keep the defending champion completely off balance, eventually securing the second set 6-3 to level the thrilling match.
A Deciding Set for the History Books
The third and final set pushed both spectacular athletes to their absolute physical and mental limits. Aryna Sabalenka appeared to be in serious trouble when her serve unraveled, dropping a crucial game to fall 4-2 behind. Staring down the possibility of her earliest US Open exit since 2020, Aryna Sabalenka remarkably found another gear. Showcasing sheer willpower, she instantly broke back at love to tie the set at 4-4, sending the unforgettable encounter into a high-stakes match tiebreak.
The Defending Champion Shows True Grit
In the decisive tiebreak, the Arthur Ashe crowd was treated to world-class tennis from both fierce competitors. Sabalenka moved ahead for good when Noskova unfortunately double-faulted at a crucial moment. The defending champion kept her nerve under incredible pressure, eventually launching a massive second-serve ace out wide to officially seal the grueling marathon. Sabalenka now moves into the final four, sitting just two victories away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win three straight singles titles in New York.