Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter-final exit at the US Open has been framed as a contest decided by margins, and Greg Rusedski believes one of those margins was tactical. Ben Shelton outlasted Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) at Flushing Meadows to claim his first victory over the Spanish star and the biggest win of his career so far.

Alcaraz had his chances in a gripping final-set tiebreak, leading 5-3 and later 6-5, but he could not close out a match that lasted four hours and 28 minutes and ended at 3:33am on Wednesday. The world No 3 was the reigning US Open champion and was chasing a third title in New York, along with an eighth Grand Slam crown overall.

The 23-year-old was also appearing in only his first tournament back after the right wrist injury he suffered at the Barcelona Open in April. Speaking on his Off Court With Greg Rusedski podcast, Rusedski said Shelton’s willingness to attack the net made a clear difference.

“Carlos, you saw how far back he was on the return of serve, and Ben was willing to come forward, serve and volley, the movement, the volleys look good,” said the 1997 US Open finalist.

“Thank God we have someone who comes to the net. If you want to stay on the baseline against Alcaraz, you’re going to be second best almost every time.

“We thought he (Alcaraz) was playing well enough to win, but Shelton proved us wrong and deserves to be back in the semi-finals.”

Rusedski then said Alcaraz may have given Shelton too much freedom by standing deep on return.

“I think it was a little bit of a tactical mistake,” said Rusedski.

He added that the deeper position reduced time pressure on Shelton and allowed him more choices off serve, while also noting that Alcaraz’s long absence may have played a part in the narrow finish.

Emma Navarro and Linda Noskova both saw their 2026 US Open title bids end in the quarter-finals, yet each still leaves New York with useful ranking points after strong runs.

Both players pushed their matches to three sets before falling. Navarro, who was involved in an all-American contest, led early in the deciding set after breaking in game three to move 2-1 ahead, but Jessica Pegula recovered to win 6-3, 4-6, 3-6. Noskova also seized control in the final set, moving 4-2 up after a break in game five, but world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka responded to complete a 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory.

“After these matches when you’re so close… it kind of reminds you of where you are standing,” Noskova said after the defeat. “I will just try to keep going, you know. I feel great on court, which is always my main point, and ranking doesn’t really matter.”

Noskova did not move up the rankings, but her week in New York still marked a step forward. Her previous best at Flushing Meadows had been a third-round appearance, so reaching the quarter-finals represented new ground. She began the tournament at a career-high No 6 and will stay there, while remaining 415 points behind Mirra Andreeva, who could still extend that gap.

The WTA’s rolling 52-week system means players lose the points they earned in the same event 12 months earlier. Noskova had 130 points to defend from a round-of-32 result in 2025, and the 430 points for reaching the last eight leaves her 300 points better off. Navarro was in the same position, also defending 130 points and earning 430, so she will likewise add 300 points to her tally. The 25-year-old has already climbed four places in the Live WTA Rankings to No 24.

There is also a financial boost for both. Noskova had earned $6,693,489 in 2026 before the US Open, with her career total standing at $11,254,108. After reaching the quarter-finals, she adds $780,000. Navarro, who had 2026 earnings of $1,038,485 and a career total of $6,679,094 before the tournament, will also take home $780,000.

Aryna Sabalenka’s place atop the rankings could be decided by Elena Rybakina, but the defending champion says her attention is elsewhere as the US Open enters its decisive phase.

Rybakina would move to world No 1 if she defeats Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals in New York, yet Sabalenka has made clear that the chase for a third straight title at Flushing Meadows matters more to her than the ranking picture. A recent dip in form has allowed Rybakina to close in, but Sabalenka continues to speak in terms of a “three-peat” rather than the No 1 race.

Her title defence stayed alive with a dramatic 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) victory over Wimbledon Linda Noskova in a gruelling match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Afterward, Sabalenka was asked whether she would be content with a third US Open crown even if it meant finishing the tournament outside the top spot.

“Of course. I’ll be more than happy. Three-peat… sounds great,” she said.

“I’m just super happy that I put myself in the position where I have chance to go for the three-peat, even though I’m still far away from that.

“I’m super happy to put myself in a position for a three-peat, even though I’m a long way from that.”

Sabalenka also reflected on how close the contest came to turning against her. “I’m really happy the way I finished the match with a second serve ace,” she added. “I’m happy that I stayed aggressive throughout the whole match and trusted my shots.

“At some point in the third set, she was definitely serving better than me. But I was able to focus point by point and build something. I played with great intensity and that gave me so much confidence that I can still get the win in this match.”

Sabalenka is now on an 18-match winning run at the US Open, and if she reaches 20, she will be celebrating again on Saturday.