Noskova survives Kostyuk to book US Open quarter‑final spot

Linda Noskova survived a dramatic three‑set battle against Marta Kostyuk at the US Open on Tuesday, clinching the win 7‑5, 5‑7, 6‑4. The Czech, seeded sixth, sealed the match on her sixth match point after Kostyuk’s backhand return went long.

Match recap

The first set saw Noskova break early and hold serve to lead 5‑3, before closing it out at 7‑5. In the second set Kostyuk rallied, saving two match points with a forehand winner and a volley that caught Noskova at the net. The Ukrainian, playing with a right‑wrist injury, forced a decider by taking the next two games.

"I am more than relieved," Noskova said after the win. "This match was so tough, emotionally more so than physically."

In the third set, Noskova broke at 3‑3 and held a 5‑4 lead. Kostyuk saved three further match points, but a powerful serve from the Czech proved decisive, ending a 2‑hour‑27‑minute contest.

Why it matters

Noskova’s victory propels her into a quarter‑final against two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. A win would place a Czech player in the last eight for the first time since Karolína Muchová’s run in 2023, adding fresh intrigue to a tournament dominated by a handful of names.

Kostyuk, who has already claimed two titles this year, demonstrated that she can challenge top seeds even while nursing an injury. Her ability to draw the crowd, she described the stadium’s roar as "incredible", highlights her growing marketability and the sport’s expanding fan base in Eastern Europe.

Looking ahead

Noskova will need to manage the physical toll of a long match as she prepares for Sabalenka, whose power game has already unsettled several opponents. Kostyuk plans to undergo an MRI after the tournament to assess her wrist, a step that could influence her schedule for the remainder of the season.

Both athletes are likely to feature prominently in the upcoming hard‑court swing, with the US Open results shaping seedings and confidence ahead of the Asian swing later this year.