US Open: Defending champion Sabalenka reaches quarterfinals without dropping a set

Aryna Sabalenka overturned a 1-3 deficit in the second set and won five straight games to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 at the 2026 US Open. The Belarusian top seed reached the women’s singles quarterfinals without losing a set in four matches.

The match began with both players trading breaks. Sabalenka’s powerful forehand from the baseline gradually took control, while Townsend used a blend of strength and movement to challenge the defending champion. Sabalenka held off the American’s comeback attempt and took the first set.

Errors briefly put Sabalenka behind in the second set, but she recovered from the fifth game onward, breaking and holding serve to close out the match in straight sets. “I thought, okay, since I’ve already been broken, I’ll just try to put every ball back and put the pressure on her side. I tried to stay focused, even on every single point, and I’m very happy I was able to turn it around,” she said.

Sabalenka also praised Townsend’s net play and return of serve, calling the match especially challenging on the New York courts. Her next opponent will be sixth-seeded Linda Noskova, the new Wimbledon champion, who defeated Ukraine’s 11th seed Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open title. The article says she must win this year’s first Grand Slam trophy in Flushing Meadows to retain the world No. 1 ranking.

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I thought, okay, since I’ve already been broken, I’ll just try to put every ball back and put the pressure on her side. I tried to stay focused, even on every single point, and I’m very happy I was able to turn it around. Her net play was really great, and her return was also very good. It was a very challenging match, especially here.