Aryna Sabalenka is making one thing very clear at the 2026 US Open: if anyone wants to take her title away, they’re going to have to work for it.
The world No. 1 handled American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, punching her ticket into the quarterfinals and keeping her bid for a third straight US Open championship alive.
And while it wasn’t completely straightforward, Sabalenka once again found a way to get the job done.
Sabalenka Keeps Rolling
The match had an unusual start, with both players struggling to hold serve early.
But once Sabalenka settled in, her power began to make the difference.
The defending champion eventually took control of the first set 6-4 before breaking away in the second to win 6-3.
That victory means Sabalenka has now reached the US Open quarterfinals for six consecutive years.
That’s consistency at the highest level.
She also hasn’t dropped a set through her first four matches in New York.
Townsend Had Her Chances
Townsend didn’t simply hand Sabalenka the match.
The American came into the contest with plenty of confidence after reaching the fourth round for the second consecutive year. Ranked No. 96, Townsend had already produced one of the better runs of her career at this year’s tournament.
She even created opportunities against Sabalenka, particularly early in the match.
But beating the world No. 1 is a completely different challenge.
Sabalenka absorbed the pressure, found her rhythm and eventually pulled away.
Another US Open Title Is Looking Very Real
Now comes the interesting part.
Sabalenka isn’t simply trying to reach another Grand Slam semifinal.
She’s chasing history.
The Belarusian is attempting to become the first woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles since Serena Williams’ run from 2012 through 2014.
She’s now just three wins away.
And based on what we’ve seen so far, she certainly looks capable.
Sabalenka has already won four matches in New York without dropping a set, and she’s continuing to look comfortable on the hard courts where she has enjoyed so much success.
Who Can Stop Her?
That’s the question everyone else in the draw is asking.
Sabalenka will face the winner of the match between Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals.
The competition is getting tougher from here.
But Sabalenka has put herself in the best possible position.
She’s healthy.
She’s winning.
And most importantly, she’s already survived another dangerous opponent.
The pressure will only increase as the tournament moves toward the final weekend.
But if Sabalenka continues playing like this, the rest of the field may have a serious problem.
The US Open trophy is still hers to lose.
