Defending U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday, overcoming a stern challenge from Czechia's Linda Noskova in a match decided by two tiebreaks. Sabalenka won 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The top seed's victory keeps her bid for a third consecutive U.S. Open title alive. Sabalenka is now the sixth player in the Open Era to reach at least six consecutive U.S. Open women's singles semifinals. She also extended her Grand Slam tiebreak winning streak to 22 matches, a record she set in January, surpassing Novak Djokovic's mark of 19.
"I'm just super happy that I put myself in the position where I have a chance to go for a three-peat," Sabalenka said after the match. "What I learned from [falling short of three in a row at the Australian Open in 2025] is it's really important to shut down all of the noises."
Sabalenka will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Americans Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro.
Tuesday's match was the first significant test for Sabalenka in the tournament. She had not had a match exceed an hour and a half prior to this quarterfinal. After taking an early 5-2 lead in the first set, Sabalenka was pushed to a tiebreak by Noskova. The 21-year-old Noskova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon earlier this year, found her rhythm in the second set, breaking Sabalenka's serve to take a 4-2 lead and ultimately forcing a deciding set.
In the final set, Sabalenka battled back from a 4-2 deficit. The match culminated in a 10-point tiebreak, which Sabalenka won, sealing her spot in the semifinals. She celebrated the victory with a primal scream after hitting a 97 mph second-serve ace.
"What a battle. What an incredible player she is," Sabalenka said on court. "I'm speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit. In the third set, I honestly thought, 'That's it, the match is over.' Probably that's what helped me to kind of feel loose and just go after my shots. Super happy to get this win. It's a tough match. Tough battle."
Sabalenka noted the importance of her physical endurance. "Knowing that physically my body can handle these matches again, I'm super happy with that," she said. "And, of course, these kind of tight matches gives you so much confidence that you're back and you're ready to do anything it takes to get the win. So this match definitely gives me a boost of energy and motivation."
The last player to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles was Serena Williams, who achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014. Roger Federer won five consecutive men's singles titles from 2004 to 2008.