Aryna Sabalenka sets up U.S. Open semifinal match with Jessica Pegula
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NEW YORK -- Aryna Sabalenka thought it was all slipping away. Her U.S. Open title reign and her lengthy hold on the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis were just about gone.
Then Sabalenka proved she's not giving any of it up without a fight.
Sabalenka kept alive her hopes for a third straight U.S. Open title by edging Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) on Tuesday in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup of major champions.
"What a battle. What an incredible player she is and I'm speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit in this match, especially in the third set," Sabalenka said. "I honestly thought that that's it, the match is over and probably that's what helped me to kind of like, I don't know, feel loose and just go after my shots."
Sabalenka -- who needed to win to maintain any hope of keeping the No. 1 ranking -- will face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula, who rallied to beat No. 26 Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Sabalenka beat Pegula in the 2024 final and against last year in the semifinals after dropping the first set.
The first men's quarterfinal also went to a match tiebreaker, with No. 11 Frances Tiafoe rallying to beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6).
The lengthy day session gave Pegula and Navarro a late start, nearly 90 minutes after the usual 7 p.m. beginning of the night session. Navarro was much better once it finally did begin, breaking Pegula's serve twice in the opening set.
Pegula found her best tennis late, winning four straight games to take control after Navarro had broken her for a 2-1 lead in the third set.