“I honestly thought the match was over”: Aryna Sabalenka admits she feared US Open exit before stunning Linda Noskova

Wednesday, 09 September 2026 at 01:00

Aryna Sabalenka came within moments of seeing her US Open title defence come to an end before finding a way through one of the toughest challenges of her campaign. The defending champion survived Linda Noskova in a dramatic quarterfinal, winning 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(10-7) to remain alive in New York.

The match appeared to be slipping away from Sabalenka in the deciding set. Noskova was serving better, applying relentless pressure and eventually moved ahead in the third, leaving the four-time Grand Slam champion staring at the possibility of an unexpected exit.

Sabalenka later admitted that, at one point, she genuinely felt the match was over. Instead of allowing that thought to dictate the final stages, she managed to reset, raise her level and force the contest into a deciding tiebreak, where she finally secured her place in the semifinals.

It was another reminder of why Sabalenka has become so difficult to eliminate at Flushing Meadows. The Belarusian produced 12 aces to Noskova's 18 and survived a contest built around power, aggression and increasingly narrow margins, eventually taking the match on her second match point with a second-serve ace.

“I honestly thought that’s it”

The deciding set tested Sabalenka's ability to stay composed as much as it tested her tennis. Noskova was putting pressure on her serve and looked increasingly comfortable in the most important moments, prompting a thought that Sabalenka had to actively push away.

“I just felt at some point in the third set, yeah, she was definitely serving better than me and putting so much pressure on me," Sabalenka said at press conference. "But I'm glad that I kind of threw that thought away and I was able to focus point by point and literally just try to build something bigger in that moment.”

The turning point came when Sabalenka broke back at 3-4, producing the intensity she needed to keep the match alive.

“I got — not lucky, but I'm happy with the way I broke her serve at 3-4. I think I really played great-intensity-level tennis, and that really gave me so much confidence that I still can get the win in this match.”

That confidence carried her into the final tiebreak, where neither player was willing to give ground. Sabalenka eventually prevailed 10-7, finishing the battle in fitting fashion. “Obviously, a second-serve ace, couldn't be happier. Yeah, that was a really tough, tight battle.”

The Belarusian's ability to remain aggressive despite the pressure was central to the escape. “I'm just super happy that I really stayed aggressive throughout the whole match and I really trusted my shots.”

“Three-peat sounds great”

For Sabalenka, however, the victory means more than simply surviving another difficult Grand Slam match. It keeps her within two wins of a historic achievement: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open titles.

Sabalenka has been careful not to let the possibility consume her, particularly after learning from the experience of carrying similar expectations at the Australian Open. Yet she is also not pretending the opportunity does not exist.

“I'm just super happy that I put myself in the position where I have a chance to go for three-peat, even though I'm still far away from that.”

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The lesson, she said, is to acknowledge the possibility without allowing it to become a distraction. “But what I learned from the Australia is like it's really important to shut down all of the noise. And having that on the back of your mind, there's nothing wrong about that, as long as you're focusing on yourself, as long as you're ready to fight, basically.”

That approach was tested repeatedly against Noskova. Sabalenka was pushed into a deciding-set tiebreak, faced the feeling that the match had already escaped her and still found another level when it mattered.

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The physical side of the victory was equally significant. After such a demanding contest, Sabalenka said she was particularly pleased to know that her body could once again handle matches of this intensity.

“I have to say that knowing that physically my body can handle these matches again, I'm super happy with that. And of course, these kind of tight matches gives you so much confidence that you're back and you're ready to do anything it takes to get the win.”

For now, Sabalenka's three-peat remains only a possibility. But after another escape in New York, the defending champion has moved one step closer to making that possibility real. “So this match definitely gives me a boost of energy and motivation.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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