Sabalenka Survives Scare to Reach US Open Semifinals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka survived a stern test on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to reach her sixth consecutive U.S. Open semifinal, ultimately defeating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6, 1-6, 7-6. The match, played on Arthur Ashe Stadium, marked the toughest challenge for Sabalenka in the tournament thus far, as she had not dropped a set prior to facing the Czech sixth seed. Noskova pushed the defending champion to the brink, firing 18 aces and saving seven of nine break points. She held a lead by a break in the third set and was ahead 4-2 in the deciding tiebreak. However, Sabalenka, who admitted she thought the match was over at one point, found her form to clinch the tiebreak 10-7 with a second-serve ace, extending her winning streak at the U.S. Open to 18 matches. "What a battle. What an incredible player she is and I'm speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit in this match, especially in the third set," Sabalenka said after the match. "I honestly thought that that's it, the match is over and probably that's what helped me to feel loose and just go after my shots.