Sabalenka fights back to keep US Open defence alive

Sabalenka began the match in firm control, breaking Noskova’s opening serve to race to a 5‑2 lead before being broken while serving for the set. Although she dominated the ensuing tiebreak, the triple fault she committed – one of four double faults in the match – highlighted a recurring issue, as did her failure to convert break points. She squandered three break chances early in the second set, then conceded a break in the sixth game after a double fault at 30‑40, allowing Noskova to force a deciding set. After hitting two more double faults to be broken for a third time, she fell behind 4‑2 but responded by winning the next three games to swing momentum. Sabalenka then clinched the tiebreak – marking her tenth consecutive tiebreak victory at the US Open, a streak that dates back to 2021 – and sealed the win with a composed second‑serve ace. The victory represents only Sabalenka’s second quarter‑final triumph since March. Her early‑season hard‑court form, which yielded titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami, has not translated to clay or grass. She had suffered last‑16 exits in Toronto and Cincinnati during the US Open buildup, yet at Flushing Meadows she has not lost a quarter‑final in six appearances. For Noskova, the loss – despite recording more winners, committing fewer unforced errors and saving seven of her nine break points – ends a run of 11 consecutive Grand Slam singles victories.