Two tie-breaks to stay alive
Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday, edging Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7) on Arthur Ashe Court. It was the first clash between top-10 players in the women’s draw at this year’s tournament, and it delivered exactly what it promised.
The world No 1 took control of the opening set before Noskova dragged her into a tie-break, only for Sabalenka to sweep it 7-1. The Czech then changed gears. More aggressive, stepping inside the baseline, she took the second set 6-3 on her 12th ace of the match.
The decider nearly slipped away. Sabalenka was broken, Noskova led 4-2, and the familiar script started to creep in for the Belarusian: momentum gone, head following it. She broke straight back to love. It may have been the key game of her whole US Open.
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The Wimbledon champion leaves empty-handed
Noskova was no ordinary opponent. The world No 6 arrived in New York with the Wimbledon title in her luggage and the idea of finishing the year with back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs. She fired 12 aces, controlled an entire set and still lost on the wire in a tie-break that was level at 7-7 before Sabalenka closed it out.
Sabalenka seized control when it mattered, grabbing an early mini-break in the decider before finishing the job with an ace. Her heavy hitting finally wore the Czech down.
A third straight crown in her sights
The Belarusian is chasing a third straight title at Flushing Meadows. In the women’s game, nobody has managed that since Serena Williams, who lifted the trophy in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The bar is high, and the tournament’s history is a reminder of just how high it is.
In the semi-finals, Sabalenka will face an American. Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro were battling for the final place in the New York night. Two players who will have the crowd on their side.
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