(September 6, 2026) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reached her sixth straight US Open quarterfinal on Sunday when she beat American Taylor Townsend in a first meeting 6-4, 6-3.
The Belarusian won in 75 minutes in a slugfest with the No. 96 Townsend. There were a total of 10 service breaks during the match. The first four games of the match were all service breaks.
Townsend broke Sabalenka three times in the two-time defending champion’s first four service games. Sabalenka regrouped to control her serve and the match.
“Basically, I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point but ball by ball,” Sabalenka said on court after the match. “I’m happy that I was able to turn it around in that second set.”
“I’m happy to be through this really tough opponent,” Sabalenka said. “What an incredible player she is approaching the net. What a great returner: moving well, very brave. You could see how focused she was. It was really challenging playing her.”
“I mean, the first four games with four breaks a serve, so I mean, I felt like I was — I don’t feel. I was returning really well today,” said Townsend.
” I just think that there were a couple of times where just a couple of points rolled, you know, quickly, and then there was a point or a game where I was up 40-Love, banged two aces. You know, one unforced error, you’re back to deuce.
“With someone like Aryna, who is at that level and at that caliber, you know, you really have to take advantage of every opportunity that you have.
“Her serve, when she needed it, was really, really good, which you know, I wasn’t able to get a ton of free points or a ton of second serves in those moments when I was up.
“But, yeah, I mean, it was a lot of back and forth. I mean, I was down 5-2, came back 5-4. You know, she was able to hold serve in a back-and-forth game. I was up 3-1.
“So it was a lot of different momentum shifts, and I think when I looked at the stats and I was talking to my coach, we were pretty dead even for a majority of the match. I mean, there were only — maybe towards the end, there was a few points, but for the majority of the match we were right here.
“When I break it down, you know, it’s not the result I want, but that’s where I need to be. You know, we said — we talked about it.
“If I could flip over, you know, 10 to 12 points, that could make a really big difference. So 10 points, you know, I feel like I can do that, where maybe made some loose unforced errors or tried to press or tried to do too much at times when I really didn’t have to.
“So, you know, it’s a learning experience. But, you know, I’m really happy for the moment, and I think going out in this match, this was the most comfortable and confident I’ve ever been playing against a No. 1 player in the world.
“From the beginning I felt like I belonged. From the beginning I felt like I was right where I needed to be. I still feel that way.
“So I’m playing really great tennis. One of the tournament referees came up to my coach and told him that I’m the only person left in the tournament that was in singles and doubles, so it’s really a phenomenal thing.
“For me, I wear that very proudly. My tournament isn’t over yet. I still have doubles, and I’m going to do the best that I can there.”
Taylor Townsend News Conference
“That was a tough match,” said Sabalenka in her news conference. “A tricky, tricky game. I’m just super happy that, first of all, I was able to get the win. Secondly, to close the match in straight sets.”
“She was returning really well. She saw where I’m going. She was blocking really well. I guess playing doubles and mixed doubles really helped her to react on, like, heavy serve.
“Plus, I think, yeah, it’s been a while since I played with the roof closed, so I feel like we both were struggling a little bit to see the ball, and that’s why the return got a little bit off.
“That was really challenging beginning, but then I had to adjust my serve, the speed, the spin, bring the variety into my service games just so I keep her guessing. It was tricky. Tricky start of the match, for sure.”
Up next for world No. 1 is either Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or No. 11 Marta Kostyuk for a spot in the semifinals.
“If we’re talking about Marta, she’s really doing well lately and moving really well, bringing the fight on court, fire,” said Sabalenka.
“So it’s been really challenging playing her in the past. I had a lot of really tough battles against her. She really makes you work for every point.
“Sometimes you have to build the point couple times to find the right shot to finish the point. You just have to be patient when you play with her.
“If it’s Linda, another great player. Just won Wimbledon. Really aggressive style of the game. Serving really well, playing super fast. You’ve got to stay really low to be able to handle that power and energy.
“Also, I played a couple of matches against her in the past, which was also wasn’t, like, the easiest matches.
“So doesn’t matter whom I face, it’s going to be a great battle, great fight, and I’m really excited.”
Sabalenka news conference
More to follow…
