Sabalenka Fights Past Townsend, Keeps Three-Peat Bid Alive

NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka subdued American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-3 on Sunday to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals without dropping a set.

The world number one had endured a frustrating build-up to the year's final major but has hit her stride at Flushing Meadows and she slammed her foot on the gas in the second set against the home-crowd favorite, sealing victory with a backhand winner.