Sports
Sabalenka and Noskova Set Up Blockbuster Quarterfinal as Pegula and Navarro Also Advance at US Open
Aryna Sabalenka kept her US Open title defense on track with a straight-sets win over Taylor Townsend, while Linda Noskova battled past 11th seed Marta Kostyuk in three sets to reach her first US Open quarterfinal. Jessica Pegula also progressed, defeating Sorana Cirstea in straight sets, and will face Emma Navarro after the American cruised past Anna Kalinskaya.
The results have set up a highly anticipated quarterfinal between world No. 1 Sabalenka, who remains unbeaten in New York, and Wimbledon champion Noskova, who continues her strong form at Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka defeated Townsend 6-4, 6-3, though she struggled at times with her serve, winning only 31% of points on her second delivery and getting broken four times. She compensated by breaking Townsend's serve seven times. The first set was chaotic, with seven of the first eight games ending in breaks. Townsend fought back from 2-5 down to level at 5-5, but Sabalenka held her nerve to close out the set. In the second set, Townsend briefly led 3-1 before Sabalenka won five straight games to secure the match.
Noskova needed three sets to overcome Kostyuk, winning 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. She broke serve late in the first set to take it, but Kostyuk fought back in the second, breaking to love in the 12th game to force a decider. Noskova regrouped in the final set, moving ahead 4-3 with a strong backhand winner before closing out the match 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.
Pegula beat Cirstea 6-3, 6-4, though the match was tighter than the score indicates. She won the first 13 points and raced to a 3-0 lead, but Cirstea settled into the match and pushed Pegula throughout. Pegula eventually served out the first set after saving several break points, then had to fend off a spirited comeback in the second set before converting her third match point.
Navarro defeated Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2 in a match that was closer than the final score suggested. The first set was tightly contested until Navarro broke serve at 4-4 and served out the set. She then broke early in the second set and maintained control throughout, closing out the match comfortably. Navarro will next face Pegula in the quarterfinals.