US Open WTA Day Eight Round-Up | Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova set up blockbuster clash as Pegula cruises on
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka continued her US Open title defense with a straight-sets victory over Taylor Townsend, while Linda Noskova survived a dramatic three-set battle against 11th seed Marta Kostyuk to book her place in the quarterfinals. Jessica Pegula also advanced after overcoming a determined Sorana Cirstea in straight sets.
The results set up an intriguing quarterfinal between Sabalenka and Noskova, with the world No. 1 still unbeaten in New York and the Wimbledon champion continuing her impressive run. Pegula, meanwhile, moved one step closer to another deep run at the US Open as she continues her bid for a maiden Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka overcomes Townsend test
Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 Taylor Townsend
Sabalenka advanced without dropping a set, although the world No. 1 was not at her sharpest on serve. She won just 31% of points behind her second serve and was broken four times, but compensated by constantly putting pressure on Townsend's delivery and breaking the American seven times.
The opening set was particularly chaotic, with seven of the first eight games ending in breaks. The only hold came when Sabalenka held in the sixth game to move ahead, but Townsend refused to let her opponent pull away. After falling behind 2-5, the American won two games in a row and even earned a break point to level the set at 5-5. Sabalenka held firm, however, and closed out the opening set on her own serve.
The second set initially followed a more conventional pattern, with both players improving their serving. Townsend nevertheless found another opening and moved 3-1 ahead, but Sabalenka responded immediately. The top seed took control of the final stages, winning five consecutive games to complete the victory and set up a quarterfinal against Noskova.

Noskova survives Kostyuk battle
Linda Noskova 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 Marta Kostyuk
Noskova survived a fiercely contested battle with 11th seed Kostyuk to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. The sixth seed used her reliable backhand to disrupt Kostyuk's serve in the opening set, while her forehand provided several important winners as she secured the decisive break in the 11th game before serving out the set.
Kostyuk appeared to be in serious trouble again in the second set when two double faults and an unforced error handed Noskova a break in the seventh game. However, the Ukrainian refused to go away. She fought back late in the set and broke Noskova to love in the 12th game to force a decider.
Noskova recovered her composure in the final set and moved ahead 4-3 after producing another superb backhand winner. Kostyuk struggled to contain her frustration as the pressure mounted, and Noskova eventually closed out the victory 6-4. She now faces defending champion Sabalenka in one of the standout quarterfinals.

Pegula holds off Cirstea
Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 Sorana Cirstea
Pegula had to work much harder than the scoreline suggests to overcome the ever-competitive Cirstea. The third seed made a flying start, winning the first 13 points of the match and taking two consecutive breaks to move 3-0 ahead. It took Cirstea a few games to settle, but once the Romanian found her range from the baseline, she began putting consistent pressure on Pegula.
Pegula remained composed and trusted her game in the New York conditions, earning another break to move 5-2 ahead. She was unable to serve out the set immediately, however, as Cirstea fought back and forced her to save several opportunities before Pegula finally converted her sixth set point from the return to take the opening set.
The second set became another momentum battle. Pegula again opened a lead, moving 4-1 ahead, but Cirstea refused to surrender. The final games featured a series of break opportunities on both sides, with four of the last five games going against serve. Pegula eventually held her nerve and converted her third match point to complete the victory and move into the quarterfinals.

Navarro cruises into the quarterfinals
Anna Kalinskaya 4-6, 2-6 Emma Navarro
Navarro booked her place in the US Open quarterfinals with a convincing straight-sets victory over Kalinskaya, gradually taking control of a match that was much tighter than the final scoreline suggested. The opening set was particularly competitive, with both players protecting their serves comfortably through the first eight games and neither able to create a break-point opportunity. Navarro stayed patient during the extended baseline exchanges, refusing to force the issue as Kalinskaya matched her from the back of the court.
That balance finally shifted at the most important moment of the opening set. At 4-4, Navarro continued to apply pressure and eventually created her first break point of the match, immediately converting the opportunity to move ahead. She then held her nerve on serve to close out the set 6-4, turning a previously even contest into one where she had the momentum. Kalinskaya was unable to find an immediate response at the start of the second, while Navarro looked increasingly comfortable dictating the direction of the rallies.
The American then made the decisive move at 1-1, breaking Kalinskaya to take control of the set. She backed it up with another hold and never allowed her opponent to build any sustained pressure, eventually moving 5-2 ahead before closing out the match 6-2. Navarro's ability to stay composed during the tight opening stages and then capitalize when opportunities appeared proved decisive, and she will now face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.

Read also

Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026









