World number one Aryna Sabalenka charged into the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday, beating American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to keep her bid for a rare US Open three-peat alive. Sabalenka needed all of her resolve against the multi-faceted Townsend.
The match opened with five breaks of serve before Sabalenka managed a comfortable hold for a 4-2 first-set lead. Townsend's blistering service returns and the net prowess of the world's second-ranked doubles player flummoxed the Belarusian star, who ultimately rallied to secure the opening set.
The second set unfolded in more traditional style, with Townsend taking an early 3-1 lead after breaking Sabalenka's serve. However, the world number one responded immediately, launching a dominant run of five straight games to claim the victory.
The Belarusian, who must win to have a chance of retaining her number one status in New York, will face either sixth-seeded Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of Czech Republic or 11th-seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk for a place in the semi-finals.