Aryna Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams (2019-20) to reach back-to-back semi-finals at the US Open. The No.6 seed defeated No.22 Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) on Wednesday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This was an easier outing for Sabalenka than the one against Danielle Collins in the previous round and her second-round match in which she saved two match points versus Kaia Kanepi. Sabalenka has now won her past three grand slam singles quarter finals – the only three of her career – in straight sets.

Garcia stops Gauff

On Tuesday night at the US Open, Caroline Garcia reached the first grand slam semi-final of her career with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Coco Gauff. Garcia hasn’t ceded a set at Flushing Meadows so far this year and stretched her winning streak to 13 matches overall.

Garcia is projected to rise to the top 10 next week and will face Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on Thursday with a berth in the US Open final at stake. Jabeur advanced to her first semi-final in New York with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) victory over the player who beat Serena Williams in the third round, Ajla Tomljanovic.

Ruud’s lesson

Casper Ruud said learning how to come through tough five-set matches had been the key to his success this year, after the Norwegian reached the semi-finals and moved a step closer to becoming the world No.1.

Ruud, ranked seventh in the world, defeated 13th seed Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to reach the last four at the US Open for the first time. “I feel like this year I have sort of figured out how to play five sets,” the 23-year-old said. Ruud will face Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals. The Norwegian will become world No.1 on Monday if he wins his maiden grand slam trophy. He may also take the top spot if he reaches the final and Carlos Alcaraz does not.