Sabalenka holds off Noskova to keep US Open three-peat bid alive

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka rallied in the final set to beat Linda Noskova in a match tiebreaker on Tuesday and reach a sixth straight US Open semi-final.

Sabalenka triumphed 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (10/7) over the 21-year-old Wimbledon champion, striking 42 winners but converting just two of her nine break point chances against the resilient Czech in a fierce duel on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Trailing 4-2 in the third, Sabalenka appeared headed for another Grand Slam disappointment in a season in which she has so far been unable to add to her stash of four major titles.