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World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday, subduing American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to keep her bid for a third consecutive title on track.
Sabalenka overcame early serve breaks and a 3-1 second-set deficit at Arthur Ashe Stadium, reeling off five straight games to close out the victory.
The Belarusian star now awaits either sixth-seeded Linda Noskova or 11th-seeded Marta Kostyuk as she continues her campaign to retain her top ranking in New York.
Townsend’s aggressive net play and sharp service returns initially flummoxed Sabalenka during a chaotic opening set that featured five breaks of serve.
After securing a crucial hold to pocket the first set with a forehand winner, Sabalenka briefly faltered in the second set, handing Townsend a break point with a net error before surrendering her serve.
However, Sabalenka adjusted her approach immediately, pressured Townsend’s serve, and stormed back to secure the straight-sets win.
Elsewhere in the tournament, third-ranked Jessica Pegula prepares to face Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea in another fourth-round clash.
In the men’s draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz takes on American Tommy Paul in his return from a wrist injury.
Meanwhile, eighth-seed Ben Shelton faces Stefanos Tsitsipas, and seventh-seed Daniil Medvedev battles fan favourite Frances Tiafoe at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
