Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has survived her toughest test of the tournament to beat Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (10-7) and reach the US Open semi-finals for a sixth consecutive year.
Defending champion Sabalenka had not dropped a set before facing the Czech sixth seed, who fired 18 aces and saved seven of nine break points but faltered when leading by a break in the final set.
Sabalenka, aiming to match Chris Evert and Serena Williams in winning a third successive US title, next plays the winner of the all-American clash between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro.
The Belarusian broke in the second game, whipping a forehand into the corner that Noskova did not even attempt to chase down, but the champion broke back with a pair of powerful groundstrokes from the baseline in the ninth.
Sabalenka sprinted through the opening set tie-break before a double fault gave Noskova a 4-2 lead in the second set. The defending champion screamed in frustration when a pair of double faults midway through the third helped her opponent secure another break.
Sabalenka recovered to level in the eighth game, however, and was in her element in the decisive tie-break, where she clinched it with a second serve ace.
“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 feel loose and just go after my shots.”
Noskova finished with 46 winners to Sabalenka’s 42, and she hit 18 aces to Sabalenka’s 12. Both players were able to end points quickly, and Sabalenka also showed off some impressive speed in tracking down drop shots.
Sabalenka will lose the No. 1 ranking she has held for 99 consecutive weeks if No. 2 Elena Rybakina beats Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday to reach the semifinals. If Rybakina loses, Sabalenka can keep her hold on it by winning the title.
with agencies
