Sabalenka and Pegula Reach US Open Semi-Finals
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of the US Open after overcoming Linda Noskova in a closely contested quarter-final at Flushing Meadows.
The world number one defeated the 21-year-old Czech player 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a match that lasted nearly three hours.
Sabalenka faced a difficult challenge in the deciding set after falling 4-2 behind. She recovered to level the score and eventually secured the match in a tense 10-point tiebreak.
The victory extends Sabalenka’s winning streak at the US Open to 18 matches and gives her a place in the tournament’s semi-finals for the sixth consecutive year.
Sabalenka to Face Pegula
Sabalenka will meet American Jessica Pegula in the semi-final.
Pegula booked her place in the last four by defeating compatriot Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The upcoming semi-final will be another meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula at the US Open. Sabalenka defeated Pegula in the 2024 final and also won their semi-final encounter last year.
Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open title and her fifth Grand Slam championship.
Tiafoe Completes Comeback
American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe also secured a semi-final place after producing a remarkable comeback against fellow American Alex Michelsen.
Tiafoe recovered from two sets down and overcame a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set before winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6).
The match lasted four hours and 38 minutes, with Michelsen pushing the more experienced player throughout the contest.
Michelsen, ranked 46th in the world, was appearing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final and had reached the stage without losing a set.
Tiafoe will now face either defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz or American eighth seed Ben Shelton in the semi-finals.
Alcaraz and Shelton Set for Quarter-Final
Alcaraz entered his quarter-final against Shelton as one of the tournament’s leading contenders. The Spaniard is competing in his first event in more than four months after recovering from a right wrist injury.
The result of that match will determine Tiafoe’s opponent in the men’s semi-final, while the women’s draw continues with Sabalenka and Pegula preparing for their last-four clash.
