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Aryna Sabalenka thought she had lost her US Open crown before leaving herself “speechless” as she battled back to beat Linda Noskova in three sets and advance to the semi-finals.<\/b><\/p>\n
Taken to a deciding set for the first time in this year’s tournament, the two-time defending champion trailed 4-2 in the third set and later 2-0 in the tie-break before recovering to close out a 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (10-7) win.<\/p>\n
It was the 28-year-old’s 19th consecutive win at the tournament, having not tasted defeat since the 2023 final, while she becomes the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six successive semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n
Victory also ensures she clings on to her world number one ranking, though she will be overtaken at the top regardless if Elena Rybakina beats Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Asked if she would be happy if she retained her US Open title but Rybakina replaced her at the head of the standings, Sabalenka said: “I’ll be more than happy. Three-peat – sounds great.<\/p>\n
“I’m just super happy that I put myself in the position where I have chance to go for the three-peat, even though I’m still far away from that.”<\/p>\n
Sabalenka will continue her bid to reach a fourth consecutive US Open final against Jessica Pegula, after the American third seed pulled off an impressive fightback of her own to defeat compatriot Emma Navarro 3-6 6-4 6-3.<\/p>\n
The Belarusian has a history of letting her emotions get the better of her, most recently in her quarter-final defeat from a set up at the French Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n