Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a break down in the final set to defeat sixth seed Linda Noskova 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (10/7) on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to the US Open semifinals.
A High-Stakes Battle on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Sabalenka entered the match having not dropped a set throughout the tournament, but she immediately faced stiff resistance from the reigning Wimbledon champion. Noskova matched the top seed’s power from the baseline and successfully extended rallies in front of a packed stadium crowd. Sabalenka opened the match with a service hold capped by an ace and broke Noskova early to take a 3-0 lead. However, Noskova clawed her way back into the opening set, eventually pushing the frame to a tiebreaker where Sabalenka reasserted control to win 7-1.
The momentum swung in the second set as Noskova capitalized on unforced errors and secured a crucial break for a 3-2 lead. Sabalenka struggled with her delivery during this stretch, committing consecutive double faults that handed Noskova the initiative. Noskova closed out the second set 6-3 on her fourth set point, aided by another ace.
Overcoming Mental Hurdles in the Decider
The tension peaked in the final set when Sabalenka fell behind 2-4 after suffering another double fault at 0-40. The top seed dropped to her knees and screamed in frustration as the pressure mounted on her title defense and world ranking. Sabalenka later admitted to reporters that she believed the match was lost at that exact moment.
“I honestly thought that was it, the match was over, and that’s what helped me to feel loose and go for my shots,” Sabalenka told the crowd in post-match remarks.
That shift in mindset allowed Sabalenka to break back to love, leveling the third set at 4-4. Both players held serve through the remainder of the set, forcing a decisive tiebreaker. Despite dropping the first two points of the tiebreaker, Sabalenka fought back and clinched the victory with a fearless second-serve ace, securing a 10-7 score in the tiebreaker.
Implications for the Rankings and the Semifinals
With the win, Sabalenka keeps her title defense alive at Flushing Meadows, though her hold on the world number one ranking remains under threat. Sabalenka must win the tournament to control her ranking destiny. If Elena Rybkina defeats Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals, the player will ascend to the number one spot.
Reflecting on the match statistics, Noskova expressed frustration over missed opportunities during crucial junctures. Noskova noted that the outcome came down to “just a matter of a couple of points” and acknowledged that she could have made different decisions while holding a break in the third set.
Looking ahead to the semifinals, Sabalenka will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between third-seeded American Jessica Pegula and 26th-seeded Emma Navarro.