Aryna Sabalenka was facing an interesting quandary. While trying to claim her third straight US Open title, she was also likely to lose her ranking atop the WTA Tour. Should Elena Rybakina reach the semifinals -- and she is playing well enough to do that -- then no matter what Sabalenka did, she would fall to No. 2.
Still, the Belarusian could only control what she could control, and that meant trying to get past Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals. The task seemingly wasn't going to be easy because Noskova is a rising star who understood how to win majors. She won Wimbledon in 2026.
Sabalenka started extremely well, though. She held to begin the match easily, immediately got a break, and then another hold. US Open fans are almost used to seeing huge comebacks this year, however, and wouldn't have been shocked by another. For instance, Madison Keys was bounced out in the third round after Zheng Qinwen came from 0-5 in the third set to win it 7-5.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open
No offense to Keys, but Sabalenka is a different player who usually plays from the front very well. If Noskova were going to mount a comeback, one would assume she would need to turn the first set around instead of waiting until the second set.
The Czech certainly made a strong effort to turn the set around, getting a break at 3-5, and then holding to get to 5-all. Sabalenka is difficult to defeat in tie-breaks, though, and the Belarusian dominated 7-1 to move ahead in the match.
Noskova had eight aces in the opening set and 16 winners to just 11 unforced errors (Sabalenka had 15 and 10, respectively), so the Czech was playing well enough to potentially win the match, but the Belarusian was playing better in the bigger moments. Unless that changed in set two, Sabalenka was going to get through another 2026 US Open match without dropping a set.
She wouldn't. Noskova sustained her efficiency in the second set while Sabalenka slightly dipped. The Czech got a break midway through and, even while challenged on her last service hold, was able to do so and take the second set 6-3.
Throughout the match, Noskova kept battling, something a player has to do against Sabalenka. The Czech might not have been winning every game, but she was giving herself a chance to stay in each game and win the match.
With Sabalenka serving at 2-3 in the third set, Noskova jumped out to a 0-40 lead, after which the Belarusian let out an angry yelp. She was being beaten by a player far more stoic and who was exceedingly precise with her groundstrokes. Noskova was also using a drop shot to brutal effect.
The Czech then held to lead 4-2 and simply needed to keep holding. She was trending toward stunningly winning her second straight major, though she still needed to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and then get through two more matches. Sabalenka was facing the prospect of going through 2026 without winning a Grand Slam.
At 4-3, though, Noskova suffered a terrible service game, and Sabalenka, through the exquisite power of returns, got the break easily to get back on serve 4-all.
After some solid holds, the third set ended in a 10-point tie-break. Noskova took the first two points, but then Sabalenka went on a run to jump out to a 6-3 lead with some immensely brilliant serving. Noskova kept being aggressive on her returns and kept the breaker close.
At 9-7, however, Sabalenka hit an amazing second serve for an ace, won the final set, and moved into the semifinals. It was a well-played match that either player could have won, but the two-time US Open champion did.
Aryna Sabalenka will next take on the winner of the Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro match in the semifinals of the US Open. In the other quarterfinal matches, Elena Rybakina will play Zheng Qinwen, and Coco Gauff will play Mirra Andreeva. All the matches should be must-watch for tennis fans.
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