Aryna Sabalenka defeated Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open 2026. This is his sixth consecutive quarter-final in the tournament. Now she will face current Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
US Open 2026: World number-1 player and current champion Aryna Sabalenka has made it to the women’s singles quarter-finals of the US Open 2026. Sabalenka of Belarus defeated Taylor Townsend of America 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round. With this victory, she has reached the last-8 in New York for the sixth consecutive time.
Defeated Taylor Townsend in straight sets
In the match played at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka was given a tough challenge by Taylor Townsend from the beginning. The American player tried to keep the world number-1 player under pressure with his aggressive play and strategy of coming close to the net.
The match between the two players was very competitive in the first set. Sabalenka used her experience and strength at important moments to win the first set 6-4. Townsend tried to make a comeback, but Sabalenka showed better control in the decisive moments.
Townsend started well in the second set and at one point took a 3-1 lead. However, after this Sabalenka rapidly raised the level of her game. He took the match in his favor by winning five consecutive games and ended the match in straight sets by winning the second set 6-3.
Reached the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive time
The win against Townsend was not only a win for Sabalenka to advance to the next round, but it also underlined her consistency at the US Open. She has reached the quarterfinals of this Grand Slam tournament for the sixth consecutive time.
This performance in New York holds special significance for Sabalenka. She is trying to win her third consecutive US Open title. According to the official US Open, with the defeat of Townsend, his consecutive winning streak in New York has reached 17 matches.
She has not lost a single set so far in this tournament. From this, the strength of their campaign to defend the title can be gauged. Despite the constant pressure, Sabalenka maintained control of the match through aggressive tennis at crucial moments.
Great comeback after falling behind in the second set
The most important part of the match against Townsend was the second set. The American player had put pressure on Sabalenka by taking a 3-1 lead. In this situation, Sabalenka remained calm and used her powerful groundstrokes and serve effectively.
After this, the Belarusian player changed the entire course of the match by winning five consecutive games. Townsend did not get any chance to make a comeback and Sabalenka won the set 6-3 and entered the last-8. After the win, Sabalenka praised Townsend’s performance. He described the competition as challenging and said that such tough matches strengthen self-confidence.
Sabalenka eyes a hat-trick of titles
This time Sabalenka has entered the US Open with the aim of winning her third consecutive championship. If she is successful in doing so, she will join the special list of players in women’s tennis who have won three consecutive US Open titles after a long time.
According to the official US Open, Sabalenka is trying to become the first female player to win three consecutive titles at the tournament since Serena Williams between 2012 and 2014. He is now only three wins away from this goal. However, the challenge before them from the next round is going to be more difficult. She will face sixth seed and defending Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals.
Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk
Linda Noskova of Czech Republic defeated 11th seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a tough match 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 in the fourth round and reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time.
Noskova took the lead by winning the first set 7-5, but Kostyuk came back in the second set and won 7-5 to take the match to the deciding set. There was a tough fight between the two players in the third set, but Noskova won the set 6-4. This match was extremely challenging for Noskova mentally and physically. He missed several chances to end the match, but eventually won on the sixth match point. The match lasted for two hours and 27 minutes.
Another big achievement of Noskova after Wimbledon
Noskova has had a great 2026 season. She won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year. Now by reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open, he has recorded the best performance of his career in New York also. After the win against Kostyuk, Noskova will now face world number-1 and two-time current US Open champion Sabalenka. There have been two previous matches between the two players and Sabalenka has won both of them.
Keep an eye on Sabalenka-Noskova match
The clash between Sabalenka and Noskova in the quarter-finals will be one of the most talked about matches of the tournament. On one hand, defending champion and world number-1 Sabalenka is moving towards her third consecutive title, while on the other hand, Wimbledon champion Noskova would like to move towards her first US Open semi-final.
Sabalenka has the experience, strength and ability to win big matches consistently. On the other hand, Noskova has shown composure under pressure against Kostyuk and proved that she can fight in her favor even in a long and difficult match. The quarter-final match between the two players is scheduled for September 8.
Pressure on world number-1 ranking also
This US Open campaign is also important for Sabalenka in terms of her world number-1 ranking. There was talk about his top ranking before the tournament and defending the title will be important for him to retain the number-1 position.
For now, Sabalenka has focused on her performance on the court. His confidence has strengthened after coming out of a tough match against Townsend. Now in the quarter-finals, she will face a player who has recently won the Wimbledon title and has proved her ability to withstand pressure on the big stage.
The goal for Sabalenka is clear—to take another step toward a third consecutive US Open trophy. This match will be an opportunity for Noskova to take her Grand Slam campaign to new heights. The clash between the two in New York will be one of the most important matches of the women’s singles competition.