**Sabalenka Holds Off Noskova to Keep US Open Three-Peat Bid Alive**
*Published on September 8, 2026*
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the US Open, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka showcased her resilience by overcoming Czech player Linda Noskova in a nail-biting encounter, securing her spot in the semifinals. The match, held on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, concluded with Sabalenka winning 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (10/7), marking her sixth consecutive semifinal appearance at this prestigious tournament.
Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, faced a formidable challenge from the 21-year-old Noskova, who had previously claimed the Wimbledon title. The match was characterized by intense rallies and powerful shots, with Sabalenka striking an impressive 42 winners throughout the contest. However, she struggled with her break point conversions, managing to capitalize on only two of her nine opportunities against a determined Noskova.
The match reached a critical juncture in the final set when Sabalenka found herself trailing 4-2. With the pressure mounting, she displayed remarkable composure, breaking Noskova's serve to level the score at 4-4. The tension escalated as the players battled through to a decisive tiebreaker. Despite dropping the first two points, Sabalenka rallied back, ultimately sealing her victory with a bold second-serve ace.
Noskova also demonstrated her prowess on the court, firing 18 aces and accumulating a total of 46 winners, becoming the first player to take a set off Sabalenka during this year's tournament. After the match, Sabalenka expressed her relief and determination, stating, “What a battle. I was pushing myself to the limit in this match, especially in the third set. I honestly thought the match was over, and that’s what helped me to feel loose and go for my shots.”
With this victory, Sabalenka extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 18 matches, reinforcing her quest for a third consecutive US Open title. Additionally, she seeks to maintain her position as the world number one, a ranking she has held since October 2024. This win also marked Sabalenka's first victory over a top-10 player since her triumph against Coco Gauff in the Miami final earlier this year.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka is set to face the winner of the quarterfinal match between American players Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. Pegula, the third seed, is among a select group of players who arrived at the US Open with a chance to dethrone Sabalenka from the top ranking. Having reached the final in 2024 and secured two WTA titles this year, Pegula is eager to claim her first Grand Slam title and solidify her position in the rankings.
In the men’s draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for a challenging quarterfinal match against eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton. Alcaraz, who is returning from a right wrist injury, has shown improvement with each match, and Shelton is considered a strong contender to end the American men's 23-year Grand Slam title drought. Additionally, the other men’s quarterfinal features 11th seed Frances Tiafoe facing off against 22-year-old Alex Michelsen.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes continue to rise, with Sabalenka and Alcaraz both aiming to defend their titles and solidify their legacies in the world of tennis. The upcoming matches promise to deliver more excitement and drama as the US Open approaches its conclusion.