Aryna Sabalenka came through one of her sternest tests of the tournament after admitting she feared her US Open title defense had already ended against Linda Noskova.

The world No 1 edged sixth-ranked Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows, but the scoreline does not fully capture how close she came to defeat. Sabalenka trailed 2-4 in the third set before finding a way back, then recovered from 0-2 down in the 10-point match tiebreak to seal the win.

The result keeps alive her bid for a fifth Grand Slam title, and her first since winning her second US Open crown a year ago. It also preserves her position at the top of the WTA rankings for the moment, even with pressure mounting from Elena Rybakina.

Speaking after the match, Sabalenka was frank about the uncertainty she felt during the closing stages. In her on-court interview, Sabalenka said: “Oh my god guys, what a battle! What an incredible player she is!

“I’m speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit, especially in that third set.

“I honestly thought that was it! Thinking the match is over is probably what helped me to feel loose, go for my shots.

“Super happy to get this win – a tough match, tough battle.

“These kind of matches, these kind of crowds, tie-breaks, and these matches that are such high pressure boost my confidence and my energy.

“I’m so glad that somehow I made that ace – it shows that I’m ready to fight, and I’m glad to see that.”

Sabalenka also pointed to one area she intends to improve, adding: “Today I wasn’t ready when I approached the net, so I’ll work a bit better on that.

“For now I just want to relax, recover, and reflect on what happened.”

She has now spent 99 consecutive weeks as WTA world No 1 since overtaking Iga Swiatek in October 2024. Sabalenka started the US Open on 8,575 points, 434 ahead of world No 2 Elena Rybakina, though she is set to lose the 2,000 points from last year’s title run. A defeat to Noskova would have ensured she surrendered top spot next week, but the victory lifts her to 7,355 points and leaves her in contention to keep the ranking lead. Rybakina will move to world No 1 for the first time if she beats Zheng Qinwen to reach the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Alex Eala has revealed the player she is backing for the women’s singles title at the 2026 US Open after her own run at Flushing Meadows came to an end.

The world No 18 fell 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to 14th-ranked Iva Jovic in a gripping third-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night. It was a hard-fought contest that lasted three hours and left Eala reflecting on both her progress and the margins that separated the two players.

Eala had opened her New York campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Mary Stoiana before moving past Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4 in the second round. Her defeat to Jovic brought a stop to a promising sequence, but she was measured in her assessment afterward.

In her press conference after her US Open exit, Eala said: “I do think I have grown as a player since the last time we played each other.

“And I definitely think I had my chances in this match. I was able to set myself up for some opportunities, which was great.

“I’m happy with the match. Of course, there’s disappointment in losing, but I’m trying to see the positive side.

“The level in this match was really high. It was a really good match, and congrats to Iva for pushing through.”

The 21-year-old Filipina later appeared on CBS News and said she would like to see Coco Gauff lift the trophy for a second time in New York.

“It’s very difficult to choose. I think it’s a very highly stacked draw at this point, but it always is in the quarters,” Eala said.

“I have to say, though, I am rooting for Coco [Gauff]. Last night was really good. I did watch her and Iva.

“Both played amazingly, but yeah, I think Coco has been on such a good run recently, and she’s a friend of mine.

“More than anything, what I look up to Coco for is her grit and the mentality she has.

“Of course, she’s a beast, she’s physically amazing, she’s got great shots, so much power, but yeah, I love her mentality.”

Eala would have met Gauff in the last 16 had she beaten Jovic. Gauff, ranked world No 4, won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and added her second major at the 2025 French Open. She will next face world No 5 and reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals.

Alex Michelsen has moved into striking distance of a personal milestone at the US Open, where he is chasing a first Grand Slam semi-final.

The 22-year-old has advanced to the quarter-finals after a composed run that included straight-sets wins over Federico Cina, 16th seed Brandon Nakashima, Daniel Merida and 27th seed Tomas Martin Etecheverry. Each victory has added to the sense that the unseeded American is building something substantial in New York.

Michelsen, who was born in Aliso Viejo in southern Orange County, California, is only a step away from matching or bettering his career peak of No. 30. In the live ATP Rankings, the 6ft 4in player sits at No. 33, with ambitions that extend well beyond that. Whether he says them openly or not, the top 20, the top 10 and a major title remain part of the picture.

After his latest win, he offered a measured assessment of his progress, saying, “I’m doing everything pretty good, really happy. Really happy, but not really surprised after putting in all the hard work. I don’t have too many expectations on myself. I like to be a little more under the radar.”

His path to this stage has deep roots. He began playing at the age of three, with both parents having played college tennis, and his mother remains his biggest inspiration. As a junior, he reached the boys’ doubles final at the 2022 Australian Open, then won both singles and doubles at the Easter Bowl later that season. He also took the junior doubles title at Wimbledon in 2022 before turning professional.

Since then, Michelsen has collected an ITF title, a Challenger crown and reached an ATP final in Newport. He later earned his first top 10 win over Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos in 2024. He now enters Tuesday’s last-eight meeting with Frances Tiafoe still searching for a first ATP Tour title, but with his biggest opportunity yet unfolding at Flushing Meadows.