Aryna Sabalenka admitted she was pushed to the limit by Linda Noskova before battling through to the semi-finals of the US Open.
The two-time defending champion needed a deciding-set tie-break to overcome Wimbledon winner Noskova 7-6 (1) 3-6 7-6 (10-7).
It was Sabalenka’s 19th consecutive win at Flushing Meadows, but rarely has she been tested quite as much.
She blew a 5-2 lead in the first set, trailed 4-2 in the third and was 2-0 down in the tie-break.
However, a Noskova double-fault proved costly and Sabalenka finished the job with a 107 mph second-serve ace – her 12th of the match.
“Oh my god, what a battle, what an incredible player she is,” said the 28-year-old from Belarus.
“I’m speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit in this match, especially in the third set. I honestly thought ‘that’s it, the match is over’.
“I’m super happy to get this win. This has boosted my energy and my confidence. I’m super glad I made that ace – it just shows that I’m ready to fight.”
It was a tough loss for 21-year-old Noskova, who was bidding to become only the third woman this century – and the first whose surname is not Williams – to win Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back.
The Czech hit 46 winners to Sabalenka’s 42 in a match of the highest quality on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But for Sabalenka the New York ‘three-peat’, an achievement only Chris Evert and Serena Williams have managed, remains within reach.
Sabalenka will lose her spot as world number one after 99 weeks at the top if Elena Rybakina wins her quarter-final against qualifier Qinwen Zheng on Wednesday.
However, the top seed admitted retaining her title – and winning a first grand slam crown this year – would definitely soften the blow.
“Yes, I’ll be more than happy,” she said. “Yes, ‘three-peat’ sounds great.”
Noskova conceded recently that she had lost her mojo after her SW19 win, but she certainly rediscovered it here.
“I have that back,” said the sixth seed. “You know, it was a new grand slam, so I definitely stepped it up since the beginning of the tournament, which helped me to get into the flow.
“Such loss is good for the motivation – you know, obviously bad in itself – but I have to take some positives from it all.”
