Overview
- On Monday Sabalenka beat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to reach the US Open quarterfinals and has not dropped a set through four matches.
- She will face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the last eight, holding a 2-0 career edge but set for a tougher mental match against Noskova’s steadiness.
- Sabalenka arrived in New York carrying a 20–7 record since March and no titles, a run that prompted pre-tournament doubts about her form.
- Commentators have revised their view after her straight-set wins, with Annabel Croft praising her intensity and Martina Navratilova grading the performance a B because of repeated service breaks.
- Her world No. 1 ranking is under pressure because Elena Rybakina can take the top spot if Rybakina reaches the semifinals, a scenario that would change the WTA pecking order.