Double title holder at the US Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka needed this Tuesday to go as far as the super-tie-break against the Czech Linda Noskova (6th) to offer her sixth semi-final in a row in New York.
The four-time winner of major tournaments ended up winning 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (10/7) against the Wimbledon champion, who was playing her third Grand Slam quarter-final at the age of 21.
The 28-year-old Belarusian will face an American in the final four, world No. 3 Jessica Pegula or 27th Emma Navarro, semi-finalist in New York in 2024.
Trailing 4-2 in the third set, Sabalenka saw a new disappointment in the Grand Slam which would have made her lose her place as world No.1, after her early eliminations at Roland-Garros (quarter-finals) and at Wimbledon (eighths).
But her young opponent (21 years old) suddenly tensed up, making her break ahead of a shutout (4-4).
Soon to be dethroned?
The two players then held their serve until the super-tie-break, in which Sabalenka overcame a timid start (2/0 for Noskova) to win with an ace after 2h21 of fierce battle on the Arthur-Ashe court.
Despite her victory against Noskova, the boss of the circuit will be dethroned if her runner-up Elena Rybakina in turn qualifies for the semi-finals on Wednesday.
