US Open: Sabalenka beats Noskova, and do we need five sets?

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled through a severe test of her resilience at the US Open, overcoming Czech rising star Linda Noskova in a hard-fought three-set encounter to keep her Flushing Meadows title defense alive. The world number two had to dig deep on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to secure her spot in the tournament's fourth round. Sabalenka, who claimed her maiden major title at the Australian Open earlier this year and reached the final in New York last season, showcased her trademark power game by striking 35 winners and capitalizing on crucial break points in the deciding set.

The tense showdown reignited the persistent tennis debate over whether Grand Slam matches should adopt a shorter format for women, with many analysts questioning if five-set thrillers would better showcase athletic endurance. Currently, women compete in best-of-three-set matches across all four major tournaments, a standard established during the Open Era in 1973 following decades of advocacy by tennis pioneers like Billie Jean King. While men battle through grueling five-set marathons at majors—highlighted by epic encounters like the nearly six-hour 2012 Australian Open final—the women's tour consistently delivers high-drama contests within a tighter timeframe, leaving fans and pundits divided on whether physical exhaustion would genuinely elevate the quality of the sport.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka advances to face a challenging opponent in the next round as she continues her pursuit of back-to-back hard-court Grand Slam dominance. The Belarusian powerhouse boasts an impressive 85% career win rate at Flushing Meadows, having reached at least the semifinal stage in each of her last three appearances at the U.S. national tennis center. As the second week of the tournament unfolds, Sabalenka remains one of the major favorites to lift the championship trophy on Saturday, though she will need to refine her service games and minimize unforced errors if she hopes to conquer the remaining hurdles in New York.