Aryna Sabalenka survives dramatic US Open quarter-final against Linda Noskova
Aryna Sabalenka admitted she was left “speechless” after being pushed to her limit during a dramatic US Open quarter-final victory over Linda Noskova, reports BritPanorama.
The two-time defending champion feared her reign at Flushing Meadows was about to end before eventually overcoming the Wimbledon winner 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka faced several moments of danger during the match, which could have easily gone in Noskova’s favour. The world No. 1 surrendered a 5-2 advantage in the opening set and fell behind 4-2 in the decider, losing the first two points of the decisive tie-break.
A double fault from Noskova helped Sabalenka regain her footing, and the Belarusian sealed her escape in spectacular fashion by firing down a 107mph second-serve ace on match point. This marked Sabalenka’s 12th ace of the contest and extended her remarkable winning run at the US Open to 19 matches.
The 29-year-old confessed afterwards that she had struggled to process the intensity of the battle, admitting at one stage she believed her title defence was over. “Oh my god, what a battle, what an incredible player she is,” Sabalenka said.
Noskova significantly contributed to the match’s exceptional quality, striking 46 winners compared to Sabalenka’s 42. The 21-year-old had aimed to become only the third woman this century to win Wimbledon and the US Open in succession, a feat achieved only by Venus and Serena Williams since 2000.
Instead, it is Sabalenka who remains on track to make history. The top seed is now two victories away from completing a US Open three-peat, a title previously held by only Chris Evert and Serena Williams in the women’s singles competition.
Sabalenka’s position at the top of the world rankings remains uncertain, with her 99-week reign as world No. 1 set to end if Elena Rybakina defeats qualifier Qinwen Zheng in the upcoming quarter-final. However, Sabalenka stated securing her first Grand Slam title of the year and a third consecutive US Open title would compensate for potentially losing her top spot. “Yes, I’ll be more than happy. Yes, ‘three-peat’ sounds great,” she said.
In contrast, Noskova acknowledged a loss of momentum after her Wimbledon triumph but believes her performances in New York indicate a return to form. “I have that back,” she noted. “Such loss is good for the motivation – you know, obviously bad in itself – but I have to take some positives from it all.”
This clash not only showcased the resilience and emotional fortitude of Sabalenka but also highlighted the rising talent of Noskova, reflecting the constantly shifting dynamics of women’s tennis. A reminder of how even the brightest stars can be challenged as the sport continues to evolve.
