Aryna Sabalenka escapes Linda Noskova scare to reach semis, keeps 3-peat dream alive

Aryna Sabalenková was far from the best and looked increasingly shaky when Linda Nosková pushed the defending champion to the limit in the quarterfinals of the US Open. But as the match entered the deciding moments, the world number one found enough composure to escape with a 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) victory to keep her dream of a three-peat at Flushing Meadows alive with a place in the semi-finals.

The Czech had lost both of her previous meetings with Sabalenka without taking a set, including a 6-3, 6-4 defeat in the Indian Wells semifinals earlier this year. Thus, Sabalenka held a 2:0 lead before Tuesday. This time, however, the Wimbledon champion looked completely different.

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Nosková already proved her resilience in New York when, after saving five match points, she survived a dramatic battle in the fourth round against Marta Kostyuk. The sixth seed carried that belief into Arthur Ashe Stadium, repeatedly dragging Sabalenka into uncomfortable territory.

HOLDS THE THRONE

Aryna Sabalenkova remains on course for a US Open three-peat as she came from 2-4 down to beat Nosková 7-6, 3-6, 7-6! pic.twitter.com/ifsSFaLQJU— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2026

NOSKOVA REFUSES TO STOP SABALENKA

Sabalenkova started harder, breaking Nosková and moving into a 5-2 lead, but the Czech immediately fought back with three games in a row. The first set eventually came to a tie-break where Sabalenkova played her best tennis and led 6-0 and then 7-1.

The second set belonged to Nosková. She moved to 4-2 after Sabalenkova’s double fault and protected her lead as the world number one created a break opportunity. The ace closed out the set at 6-3, handing Sabalenkova her first set of the tournament.

The third set was even more dramatic. Sabalenková dropped serve when Nosková led 4-2 and the Czech then won three break points at 40-0. Sabalenkova looked visibly frustrated, even dropping her racket but saving one chance before eventually losing serve on an unforced forehand error.

Sabalenkova immediately hit back, creating three break points of her own to tie the game at 4-4 when Nosková committed an unforced forehand error.

SABALENKA HOLDS HER NERVES

Neither player could find another break, sending the match into a deciding tie-break. Sabalenkova led 2-0 and later 6-3, but Nosková again refused to go away and reduced the deficit to 5-6.

However, the last blow this time was delivered by Sabalenka, who closed the match with an ace.

The victory sent Sabalenkova to her sixth consecutive US Open semifinal and her 15th at a Grand Slam. She is now only the second woman after Serena Williams to reach six consecutive US Open semifinals; Williams achieved the feat from 2011 to 2016.

It also extended Sabalenka’s US Open winning streak to 18 matches. More importantly, after being pushed to the brink by the never-before-hit Wimbledon champion, the world number one remains two wins away from completing a historic treble.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

08 Sep 2026 23:48 IST