Sabalenka Beats Noskova to Reach US Open Semis

Aryna Sabalenka is into the US Open semis again. The world No. 1 beat Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a Flushing Meadows thriller, sealing it with a second-serve ace, per Sky Sports.

That keeps the three-peat chase alive and holds Sabalenka at No. 1 for at least one more day. She has never lost a US Open quarterfinal, and she now waits on the winner of Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro.

Two tie-breaks, one late save

Sabalenka led 5-2 in the first set before Noskova clawed back to a breaker. The opener was one-sided at 7-1. Noskova took the second set after converting late set points. In the third she broke for 4-2, then watched Sabalenka level at 4-4 and drag it to another breaker.

Noskova double-faulted at 3-3 in the final-set tie-break and slipped to 8-6 after a net cord. Sabalenka, who had won her last 10 US Open tie-breaks entering the night, closed it out. Career ledger vs Noskova: 3-0.

Noskova's 11-match major winning streak ended. She will not become the first woman to go back-to-back Grand Slams since Naomi Osaka's 2020-21 run.

Three-peat path and the No. 1 race

Sabalenka is chasing a third straight US Open title, something Serena Williams last did from 2012 to 2014. She needs New York hardware to have any shot at staying No. 1. Elena Rybakina can knock her off that perch if she reaches the semis Wednesday.

Earlier coverage framed the quarterfinal matchup before the first ball. The result piece is different: Sabalenka survived, Noskova pushed her to the wall, and Flushing still has a three-peat favorite walking around.

On court, Sabalenka said thinking the match was over helped her loosen up and go for her shots. Crowds, tie-breaks, and pressure are the fuel she keeps naming. Sky Sports' Tim Henman praised the same thing: when the opponent quality rises, she stands and delivers, and her tie-break record is the tell.

If Rybakina is beaten Wednesday, Pegula or Coco Gauff could still climb to No. 1 by winning the title Saturday. Sabalenka's path is simpler in her own head. Win New York again, and the ranking math stays in play. Lose early, and the three-peat talk ends with her.

Next up is whichever American wins Tuesday night's Pegula-Navarro clash. For fantasy and betting boards, treat Sabalenka as the semis fixture until further notice. The scoreline was close. The finish was not soft.