Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive year on Sunday, overcoming American Taylor Townsend in a hard-fought match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The final score was 6-4, 6-3.
The match was characterized by frequent service breaks from both players, with 11 breaks of serve occurring over the 19 games played. Sabalenka ultimately held the advantage, converting seven breaks to Townsend's four.
"She was returning really well. She saw where I’m going," Sabalenka said of Townsend's performance. "I guess playing doubles and mixed doubles really helped her to react on, like, heavy serve."
Sabalenka's victory extends her U.S. Open singles win streak to 18 consecutive matches. Her run of six straight quarterfinal appearances at Flushing Meadows matches Serena Williams' streak from 2011-16. Sabalenka has now reached nine consecutive hard-court major quarterfinals, a feat matched in the Open Era by Gabriela Sabatini and Lindsay Davenport.
Townsend presented a significant challenge, particularly in the second set. After breaking Sabalenka's serve to take a 3-1 lead, Townsend was unable to maintain the advantage, with Sabalenka winning five consecutive games to shift the momentum. "With someone like Aryna, who is at that level and at that caliber, you really have to take advantage of every opportunity that you have," Townsend commented on the match.
Sabalenka will face No. 6 seed Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals. Noskova advanced by defeating Marta Kostyuk in a three-set match.
In 2026, Sabalenka holds an 18-0 record against players ranked outside the top 50, with 17 of those victories coming in straight sets. Townsend's record against top-10 opponents in 2026 now stands at 0-5.
