Sabalenka Overcomes Early Challenge
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-3 to reach the US Open quarter-finals for a sixth consecutive year. The Belarusian recovered from 3-1 down in the second set, winning the final five games to complete the 75-minute victory.[S1]
The match contained 10 breaks of serve, with both players producing strong returning early on. Five successive service games were broken at the start of the contest before Sabalenka took control. Townsend, a doubles specialist, continued to challenge the world number one and made her serve out the opening set at the second attempt.[S1]
Historic Streak Continues
Sabalenka, 28, extended her US Open winning streak to 18 matches and her three-year unbeaten run at the tournament after titles in 2024 and 2025. She is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six straight singles quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows. Williams was also the last player to win three consecutive US Open titles, with Sabalenka now three wins from equalling that achievement.[S1]
Next Opponent and Other Results
Sabalenka will play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova for a place in the semi-finals after the Czech sixth seed beat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 7-5 5-7 6-4. Elsewhere, American third seed Jessica Pegula beat Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-4, ending Cirstea's Grand Slam career before her planned retirement at the end of 2026. Pegula will face fellow American Emma Navarro, while British doubles pair Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden lost 6-2 6-2 to Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.[S1]
