Aryna Sabalenka is into the US Open semi-finals after she edged past Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a last set tiebreak.
The world number one survived a big scare against the Wimbledon champion as she edged the deciding set tiebreak to reach the semi-finals in New York.
It was a thrilling start from Sabalenka who took advantage of Noskova’s early match nerves and took a 3-0 lead.
The sixth seed worked her way into the match and produced some clever patterns of play to take the match to Sabalenka.
However, Sabalenka was emphatic on serve and was dominant as she had the chance to serve for the opening set at 5-3.
As has been a theme this season, Sabalenka was unable to close out the set when it mattered most as she failed to make first serves.
Credit where credit is due Noskova was brave in the big points as she broke back before holding serve to level the opening set at 5-5.
Both players produced great tennis in the next two games which was much needed for Sabalenka to stable the tide with the opening set being decided by a tiebreak.
It was a poor tiebreak from Noskova but Sabalenka denied the Wimbledon champion a chance at a comeback as an unreturnable first serve secured the tiebreak 7-1.
There needed to be a big comeback from Noskova in the second set and the sixth seed was aggressive and proactive in her approach.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s level had dropped and she was finding it harder to predict Noskova’s serving patterns.
After saving two break points in the opening game, Noskova broke serve in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead.
On the fourth time of asking Noskova sealed the second set 6-3 and levelled the match at one set all.
In the deciding set, Noskova played some clean and attacking tennis to break in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead.
However, the lead didn’t last long as Sabalenka broke back to love in the eighth game with some poor decision-making costing Noskova.
The longer the match went on the better the serving was as the final set went to a tiebreak which was first to ten points.
There was an initial advantage for Noskova but a double fault cost her the tiebreak as a second serve ace sealed the tiebreak for Sabalenka as she secured her place in the semi-finals.
After the match Sabalenka admitted this win will boost her confidence, “Yeah, Oh my god guys. What a battle, she is an incredible player. I was pushing myself to the limit, especially in the third set,” Sabalenka told the US Open website.
“I honestly thought the match is over, down in that third set, and I think that helped me feel loose, to go after my shots. These kind of matches definitely boost my confidence, my energy and my motivation.
“Super happy to get this win, it was such a tough match, such a tough battle. It shows I’m ready to fight.”
The world number one will now face either Jessica Pegula or Emma Navarro for a place in the final.
