Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka just muscled past American Taylor Townsend to punch her ticket to a sixth straight US Open quarter-final, securing her 18th consecutive win at the tournament. This wasn’t just another win, it was another statement from a player chasing history, even with the whole crowd against her.
Sabalenka Stares Down the US Open Crowd and Wins Anyway
Look, the scoreline 6-4 6-3 might make you think it was easy, but this match was anything but. Sabalenka, a four-time major winner, had a seriously tricky test on her hands. The contest was pure chaos with a wild 10 breaks of serve, and honestly, the vast majority of the crowd was absolutely against her. Townsend, a doubles specialist who even walked out in a long, black-feathered outfit, was out there frustrating Sabalenka, making her serve out the first set and then breaking through in the second. Sabalenka had to dig deep, especially when she went down 3-1 in that second set.
But this is Sabalenka we’re talking about! She recovered, reeled off five consecutive games, and sealed the deal in 75 minutes. She even broke back to love right after Townsend’s breakthrough. She’s not always known for keeping her cool in these pressure cooker moments, which makes this even more impressive. “I was just trying to stay focused on myself, not only point by point but ball by ball,” Sabalenka said. “I’m happy I was able to turn around the second set, I think it was a key moment.” You gotta love that focus when the chips are down.
History on the Line: Sabalenka Chases Serena’s Ghost
This win isn’t just one for the books, it’s extending a three-year unbeaten streak at the US Open, after those back-to-back triumphs in 2024 and 2025. Sabalenka is the first woman since the legendary Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six consecutive singles quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows. And get this: Serena was also the last player to win three US Open titles in a row. Sabalenka is now just three wins away from matching that incredible feat. Think about that for a second. Three wins for a slice of history.
Pegula Ends a Career, Noskova Sets Up a Showdown
Elsewhere in the tournament, American third seed Jessica Pegula knocked out Sorana Cirstea with a 6-3 6-4 win, bringing the curtain down on Cirstea’s Grand Slam career. Cirstea, who’s retiring at the end of 2026 despite having one of the best seasons of her 20-year career and hitting a career-high 17th ranking in May, had a solid run this year, but it wasn’t enough. Pegula faced her own tricky test with 11 breaks of serve, winning on her third match point.
Sabalenka now faces Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova for a semi-final spot. Noskova had a rollercoaster 7-5 5-7 6-4 win against Marta Kostyuk, needing six match points to get it done. Sabalenka vs. Noskova for a semi-final berth? You absolutely cannot miss it. The stakes are through the roof for Sabalenka to keep that incredible streak alive and push for her third consecutive US Open title.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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