Sabalenka Advances to US Open Quarter-Finals After Defeating Townsend

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, has successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open, matching a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2016. Sabalenka triumphed over American Taylor Townsend in a match that saw a total of ten breaks of serve, ultimately winning 6-4, 6-3.

Despite facing a challenging start and falling behind 3-1 in the second set, Sabalenka showcased her resilience by winning five consecutive games to close out the match. This victory marks her 18th consecutive win at the US Open, extending her unbeaten streak at the tournament since her back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.

In reaching her sixth consecutive quarter-final at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka is now just three wins away from matching Williams' record of three consecutive US Open titles. Her next opponent will be Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who narrowly defeated Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in a hard-fought match.

Sabalenka acknowledged the difficulty of the match, particularly with the crowd largely supporting her opponent. She expressed her focus on maintaining composure throughout the contest, stating, "I was just trying to stay focused on myself, not only point by point but ball by ball."

The match began with a flurry of breaks, but Sabalenka eventually took control. She praised Townsend's performance, recognizing her as a formidable competitor and acknowledging the crowd's support during her challenging moments.