Aryna Sabalenka, the defending US Open champion, advanced to the semifinals after a three-set comeback victory over sixth seed Linda Noskova on Thursday. Sabalenka secured her spot in the final four by winning a tense tie-break to close out the match.
Noskova took an early lead in the first set, breaking Sabalenka's serve in the opening game. Despite Sabalenka racing to a 5-2 advantage, Noskova broke back. Sabalenka ultimately dominated the tie-break. However, a recurring issue for Sabalenka in the match was her serve, marked by four double faults, including one as she served for the set.
In the second set, Sabalenka faced further service struggles, wasting three break points early on and conceding a break in the sixth game with a double fault, allowing Noskova to force a deciding set.
Sabalenka's difficulties continued as she was broken for a third time in the final set. Noskova then held serve to take a 4-2 lead. However, Sabalenka managed to win the next three games to turn the match around. She went on to win the tie-break, marking her 10th consecutive tie-break victory at the US Open, a streak dating back to 2021. Sabalenka sealed her quarter-final win with a composed second-serve ace.
This victory marked Sabalenka's second quarter-final win since March. While she captured titles earlier in the season on hard courts in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami, she had faced early exits on clay and grass, including at the Toronto and Cincinnati tournaments leading up to the US Open. Her performance at this year's US Open, where she has not lost a quarter-final in six attempts, suggests a return to her earlier form.
For Noskova, the defeat concludes a streak of 11 consecutive singles wins at Grand Slam tournaments. During the match, she recorded more winners, fewer unforced errors, and saved seven out of nine break points faced.