World number one Aryna Sabalenka moved into the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over American Taylor Townsend, keeping her bid for a rare three-peat at the tournament alive.
Sabalenka had to overcome a disruptive opening set and a second-set break deficit against Townsend, whose returns and net play repeatedly tested the top seed. But Sabalenka responded after falling behind 3-1 in the second set, winning the final five games to complete the straight-sets victory.
The result sends Sabalenka into the last eight as she continues a campaign that also carries significance for her world number one position. She must win the title to have a chance of retaining that status in New York.
A turbulent first set ends in Sabalenka’s favour
The match began with a sequence of five breaks of serve, underlining the pressure both players were able to apply in the return games. Sabalenka double-faulted to give Townsend a break in the second game, and the American broke again in the fourth game with a powerful service return.
Sabalenka eventually found a steadier moment on serve, holding for a 4-2 lead. Townsend continued to cause problems with blistering returns and her work at the net. The American, described as the world’s second-ranked doubles player, made the opening set difficult for Sabalenka despite the Belarusian’s sustained power and precision.
Sabalenka appeared close to taking the set when she led 5-2, but Townsend broke her as she served for it. Townsend then held to narrow the score to 5-4, creating one more moment of pressure for the world number one.
Sabalenka closed it out in the next game. She saved a break point before sealing the 6-4 set with a forehand winner. It was only her second hold of serve in a first set defined by breaks, but it gave her the advantage after an unsettled start.
Townsend takes a second-set lead
The second set initially followed a more conventional pattern. Neither player faced a break point through the first three games, a contrast to the volatility of the opening set.
Townsend then earned the first break opportunity when Sabalenka put a forehand into the net. Sabalenka followed with a weak second serve, and Townsend punished it with a return winner to break for a 3-1 lead.
That break briefly put Townsend in front and offered the American a route back into the contest. Sabalenka, however, answered immediately. The top seed broke back straight away and did not allow Townsend another game, putting together a five-game run to take the second set 6-3 and finish the match.
Quarter-final awaits for world number one
Sabalenka’s 6-4, 6-3 win keeps alive her attempt to win the US Open for a third consecutive time. Her ability to recover after Townsend’s early pressure in both sets proved decisive, particularly after the 3-1 deficit in the second.
For a place in the semi-finals, Sabalenka will face either sixth-seeded Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic or 11th-seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. The quarter-final will be another important step in her effort to retain the number one ranking in New York.
