Key Takeaways
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open in New York.
- Sabalenka stated that confronting potential defeat in the third set freed her to swing freely, saying, “I honestly thought that that’s it. The match is over and probably that’s what helped me to kind of like, I don’t know, feel loose and just go after my shots.”
- After closing the match with a second-serve ace to extend her New York tiebreak winning streak to ten, Sabalenka noted, “This matches under such a high pressure definitely kind of like boosting my confidence and my energy and my motivation.”
Thrilling decider leads Aryna Sabalenka back to US Open semifinals
World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled through an electric three-set clash to secure her spot in the semifinals of the 2026 US Open in New York, defeating Linda Noskova 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6. After claiming the opening set in a tiebreak, Sabalenka faced heavy resistance as Noskova elevated her play to take the second set and break early in the deciding set.
Sabalenka had to summon her deepest reserves of energy to turn the match around when it appeared to be slipping away. “Oh my god, guys. What a battle. What an incredible player she is,” Sabalenka admitted during her on-court interview. “I’m speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit at this match especially in the third set.”
Reflecting on the critical moment when she was down a break in the final set, Sabalenka confessed that confronting near-defeat unexpectedly freed her to play more aggressively. “I honestly thought that that’s it. The match is over and probably that’s what helped me to kind of like, I don’t know, feel loose and just go after my shots,” she said, adding that she was “super happy to get this win.”
Clutch serving and preparation for the final rounds
The contest culminated in another high-pressure tiebreak, where Sabalenka maintained her flawless recent record, extending her streak to ten consecutive tiebreak wins at the US Open. Facing match point, she unleashed an aggressive second serve that landed as an ace to clinch the victory. Sabalenka acknowledged that thriving in those razor-thin moments provides an immense mental lift.
“Well, this kind of matches, this kind of tight tie breaks and this matches under such a high pressure definitely kind of like boosting my confidence and my energy and my motivation,” Sabalenka explained. “So, I’m super glad that somehow I made that ace. It was very important point and it’s just shows that I’m ready to fight and I’m happy to see that.”
With a spot secured in the final four at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Sabalenka also took time to thank the New York crowd for their backing throughout the contest. “Thank you guys for, honestly, just for you guys being you. You’re amazing and it’s always unbelievable playing in front of you all,” she said.
Looking ahead to her upcoming off days, the defending champion highlighted an area of her game she hopes to sharpen before the semifinals begin. “Maybe a bit better game on the net to be honest. I think today a couple times I approached the net, but I wasn’t quite ready. So, I think we’ll work a little bit extra on that part of my game,” Sabalenka noted, before concluding, “For now I just want to, you know, relax, recover and just reflect on what just happened.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4zD4bAkNDY
WTA U.S. Open - Aryna Sabalenka's projected path
Sabalenka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2026
Ranked world no.1, Sabalenka has achieved a 46-8 win-loss record in 2026. Sabalenka is currently competing at the U.S. Open where she beat the world no.59 Maria Camila Osorio Serrano 6-2 6-4, the world no.160 Polina Iatcenko 6-1 6-1, the world no.92 Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3 6-4, the world no.96 Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-3 and the world no.6 Linda Noskova 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6.
The Belarussian clinched 3 titles in 2026 in Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami.
Aryna won 24 titles in her career: 19 on hard courts, 3 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Linda Noskova in 2026
Ranked no.6 (career-high), Noskova played her last match on the 8th of September when she was overcome by world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6 in the quarter of the U.S. Open (draw).
During this season the Czech achieved a compiled 35-15 match record. Linda conquered 2 titles in 2026 in Berlin and Wimbledon.
Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova squared off 3 times. The head to head is 3-0 for Sabalenka.
