New York, Sept. 8 -- Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a stunning challenge from Linda Noskova, saving her US Open title defence with a nerve-shredding victory in a deciding tie-break in the quarter-finals here on Tuesday.
The world No 1 edged past the Czech 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) after a see-saw battle in which she surrendered a commanding first-set lead before being pushed to the limit in the decider.
Sabalenka appeared to be cruising when she raced into a 5-2 lead in the opening set. Noskova, however, produced a remarkable fightback, winning three games in a row to level at 5-5 and forcing a tie-break.
The Belarusian then rediscovered her power and ruthlessness, storming through the tie-break 7-1.
But Noskova refused to be int...