Aryna Sabalenka Sets US Open Quarter-Final With Noskova

Aryna Sabalenka moved into the US Open quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over American Taylor Townsend on Sunday, setting up a meeting with sixth-seeded Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.

The two-time defending champion was tested on Arthur Ashe Stadium but recovered from an early second-set deficit to complete the straight-sets win. Sabalenka, who must win the tournament to retain her world number one status in New York, will now play Noskova for a place in the semi-finals.

Townsend made the opening stages difficult for Sabalenka with her service returns and frequent approaches to the net. The first set began with five breaks of serve, underlining the pressure both players were able to apply in the early exchanges.

Sabalenka responds after second-set setback

Sabalenka found a steadier spell in the first set, holding comfortably for a 4-2 lead before her power and precision ultimately carried her through the set 6-4.

She acknowledged the challenge Townsend presented in their first meeting. “What an incredible player she is, approaching the net, what a great returner, moving well, very brave,” Sabalenka said. “You can see how focused she was and it was really challenging playing her, especially here.”

The second set initially appeared more settled. Neither player faced a break point in the first three games, but Sabalenka was the first to lose serve. After sending a forehand into the net to offer Townsend a break point, she delivered a weak second serve that Townsend converted with a return winner to take a 3-1 lead.

That advantage did not last. Sabalenka broke back immediately and then won five consecutive games to turn the set around and secure her place in the last eight.

“I was like, OK, you’re down the break just try to return the serve and put as much pressure as you can on her,” Sabalenka said. “I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point but ball by ball and I’m happy that I was able to turn around that second set.”

The result keeps Sabalenka’s title defence alive and puts her one win away from another US Open semi-final. Her recovery from 3-1 down in the second set was decisive after Townsend had again found a way to disrupt the defending champion’s rhythm.

Noskova awaits in the last eight

Noskova reached the quarter-finals after a demanding 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The Czech player needed six match points to close out the contest, having failed to convert two opportunities in the second set.

“I am more than relieved,” Noskova said after defeating Kostyuk. “This match was so tough, emotionally more so than physically.”

The quarter-final will bring together Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, and Noskova, the sixth seed and Wimbledon winner. For Sabalenka, victory would keep her pursuit of a third straight US Open title on course while preserving the possibility of retaining the number one ranking in New York.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, third-ranked Jessica Pegula was due to play Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea. Pegula is among the players who can replace Sabalenka at the top of the rankings during the tournament.