Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, steadied herself after a shaky opening on Sunday to overpower Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 and reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in New York.
The top-ranked Belarusian looked vulnerable in the early stages, dropping serve three times in her first four service games as Townsend, of the United States, pressed for an upset. Sabalenka regrouped, tightened her serve and gradually took control of 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. “I’m happy that I was able to turn it around in that second set.”
It was the first career meeting between the two players. Townsend, a skilled net player and returner, troubled Sabalenka throughout the opening set but could not sustain her rhythm as the match wore on. The defending champion praised her opponent’s bravery and movement after sealing the win.
Sabalenka now advances to face either Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or Marta Kostyuk for a place in the semifinals. Townsend was among a strong American contingent at Flushing Meadows, with 10 U.S. players reaching the men’s and women’s round of 16 — the most in the fourth round of the tournament in years.
The men’s draw offered its own storylines on the same day. Second seed Carlos Alcaraz, playing his first tournament after a four-month absence with a wrist injury, faced No. 20 Tommy Paul on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he looked to move closer to defending his title.
Alcaraz arrived at the quarterfinal stage on a 17-match Grand Slam winning streak, having dropped just one set through three rounds. He also carried a 12-0 record against American men at majors into the contest against Paul.
The deep American presence recalled recent breakout runs by younger players on the same courts, including the rise of emerging talents who have made their mark in New York.
Sabalenka’s quarterfinal will determine whether she stays on course for a third consecutive title in New York. Her next match against Noskova or Kostyuk is set to follow the completion of the remaining round-of-16 fixtures.