Sabalenka defeats Noskova to reach US Open semifinals
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reached the US Open semifinals at Flushing Meadows after defeating Czech tennis player Linda Noskova 7:6 (7:1), 3:6, 7:6 (10:7) in the quarterfinals. The Belarusian, who is defending her title, advanced to this stage of the tournament for the sixth consecutive year, Cyprus Mail reports.
A tense match
Before facing Noskova, Sabalenka had not dropped a set in the tournament. Her opponent, the sixth seed and Wimbledon champion, hit 18 aces and saved seven of nine break points, but failed to hold a break in the deciding set.
In the second game of the opening set, Sabalenka broke serve, but Noskova leveled the score in the ninth game thanks to powerful baseline shots. In the first-set tiebreak, the Belarusian won the first six points and took the set.
In the second set, Sabalenka could not cope with her opponent's serve and, at 2:4, made a double fault, handing Noskova the advantage. The Czech player leveled the match in sets.
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The deciding tiebreak
In the third set, two double faults by Sabalenka helped Noskova secure another break. However, the Belarusian broke back in the eighth game, and the match was decided by a tiebreak, which she finished with an ace.
“What a battle. She is an incredible player. Right now, I cannot find the words because in this match I pushed myself to the limit,” Sabalenka said after the victory.
In the semifinals, Sabalenka will play the winner of the all-American matchup between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. She is bidding for a third consecutive title on the courts of Flushing Meadows.
