Sabalenka overcomes Townsend: 18th straight US Open win

In the fourth round of the 2026 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3, but the scoreline did not reflect the full story. She lost 10 service games – an unusually high number for a champion. Trailing 1-3 in the second set, Sabalenka won five consecutive games to close the match. With this win, the 28-year-old Belarusian extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 18 matches, reaching the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive year. She is defending consecutive titles (2026, 2026) and chasing a historic three-peat, a feat only Serena Williams has achieved in the Open Era. Notably, there is a contrast between the score and the actual contest. Townsend, a left-handed net-rusher, disrupted Sabalenka's service rhythm. However, the former world No. 1 adjusted her return position to neutralize the opponent's net approaches. Sabalenka said: "I only focus on myself, ball by ball." That composure helped her survive in front of a heavily pro-Townsend crowd. Still, the 10 breaks of serve statistics are a warning sign. A Grand Slam champion cannot afford to be broken that often if she wants to win a third straight title. Her aggressive serving and opponents' strong returns could become a big problem in the quarterfinals, where the return skills are far better. This victory holds more mental value than a convincing display. Sabalenka got through a 'tricky match' with a straightforward score, a fact fans should note. She remains the top favorite, but she must tighten her service games to emulate Serena Williams' record. The question is: can she maintain her focus to beat more awkward players in later rounds? 'Numbers are just seasoning, but people are the main dish' – and this is where Sabalenka's character is truly tested.