Gritty Sabalenka Battles Past Noskova To Reach US Open Semi-Finals

Aryna Sabalenka came through a tense battle with Linda Noskova to book her place in the US Open semi-finals. The world No.1 finally got the better of the Wimbledon champion in a deciding-set tiebreak.

The top seed got off to a flying start as Noskova struggled to settle early on. Sabalenka made the most of those early mistakes and quickly opened up a 3-0 advantage.

Noskova then gradually found her rhythm and used some smart shots and combinations to put Sabalenka under pressure.

Sabalenka, though, remained strong on her serve and looked to be in control when she got the chance to serve for the first set at 5-3.

But closing out sets has been a problem for her at times this season. She struggled to find her first serve at the key moment and missed the opportunity to finish the set.

Noskova deserves credit for staying calm in the important moments. She broke Sabalenka’s serve and then held her own to bring the first set level at 5-5.

The next two games were closely fought, with both players producing some excellent tennis. Sabalenka managed to regain control as the set went into a tiebreak.

Noskova struggled badly in the tiebreak, giving Sabalenka a clear advantage. The world No.1 made sure there was no way back for the Wimbledon champion and wrapped up the tiebreak 7-1 with a first serve that Noskova could not return.

The sixth seed had to turn things around in the second set, and she came out playing with more attacking intent. Sabalenka, on the other hand, was not at her best and struggled to read Noskova’s serves.

Noskova had to fight off two break points in the first game, but she stayed in control. She then got the breakthrough in the sixth game to move 4-2 ahead.

The sixth seed finally took her fourth set point to win the second set 6-3 and bring the match back to level terms. She carried that momentum into the deciding set and played on the front foot. A break in the fifth game put her 3-2 ahead, giving a clear chance to take control of the match.

Sabalenka responded quickly, though. She broke back without dropping a point in the eighth game, with a few poor choices from Noskova helping the world No.1 get back on level terms.

Both players became more reliable on serve as the final set moved towards another tiebreak. This one was played to 10 points, with Noskova making the better start.

But a double fault at a key moment hurt the sixth seed. Sabalenka took advantage and finished the tiebreak with an ace on the second serve, booking her place in the US Open semi-finals comfortably.