SABALENKA POWERS PAST TOWNSEND TO BOOK US OPEN QUARTERFINAL SPOT

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 US Open after defeating American Taylor Townsend in straight sets. The defending champion produced a composed performance on Sunday, September 6, winning 6-4, 6-3 to continue her pursuit of a third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

The match began with an intense exchange of breaks, with both players struggling to maintain their serves during the early stages. Sabalenka eventually settled into the contest and established a 4-2 advantage in the opening set before closing it out 6-4. The Belarusian's aggressive baseline play and powerful serving gradually put Townsend under increasing pressure.

Townsend, ranked 96th in the world, attempted to respond in the second set and briefly threatened to turn the contest around. Sabalenka, however, remained composed and finished strongly, winning the final four games to secure a 6-3 second-set victory after 75 minutes on court.

The victory also extended Sabalenka's remarkable run at the US Open. She has now reached the quarter-finals at the tournament for six consecutive years, matching Serena Williams' streak from 2011 to 2016. The Belarusian is also defending her world number one ranking while seeking to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three times in a row.

Sabalenka will face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals after the Czech sixth seed defeated Marta Kostyuk in three sets. The upcoming clash promises another major test for the defending champion as she continues her bid for another Grand Slam triumph in New York.