Sabalenka overcomes tricky Townsend test to reach US Open quarterfinals

Aryna Sabalenka continued her US Open title defense by defeating Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round. Despite showing some instability during the middle of the match, the world No.1 proved her composure by winning the last five games to close out the contest. The match took place on the center court at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka broke early in the third game of the first set but lost the advantage immediately. It was not until 4-4 in the set that she stepped up again, clinching a crucial break to take the set 6-4. The second set saw a sluggish start from the defending champion. Townsend, with her tricky lefty serve and slice backhand, surged to a 3-1 lead. However, that was the moment Sabalenka showed her champion qualities. She broke back right away, played more solidly, and closed out the victory by winning five consecutive games. Notably, despite losing four service games in the match, Sabalenka remained calm in key moments. She converted important break points, a sign of strong concentration. This victory extended her winning streak in New York to 18 matches. Earlier this season, she had an impressive 26-1 record. Not losing a single set in this year's tournament further underlines the impressive form of the 28-year-old Belarusian. After the match, Sabalenka said: "I didn't play well at some points, but I believed in myself in the important games. I don't care about social media speculation; I just focus on each match." With this result, Sabalenka will face Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals. Noskova impressed at Wimbledon and is in good form. She promises to be a tougher challenge for Sabalenka. In her half of the draw, Sabalenka must also watch out for top players such as Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff. Defending her No.1 ranking is under pressure as all key rivals remain in the tournament. From a technical standpoint, Sabalenka remains the top candidate for the title. Her powerful baseline game and fighting spirit allow her to overcome difficult matches. Although her fourth-round form was not perfect, her ability to handle decisive moments stood out. Fans are now looking forward to her quarterfinal appearance, where she needs to stay consistent to aim for a third consecutive US Open title. With her class and experience, the door remains wide open.