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.

Alex Eala has been one of the sharpest performers on the tour lately, yet her serve remains the part of her game that draws the most attention. It is markedly slower than much of the WTA Tour, which has often left her leaning on the quality of her return to stay alive in matches.

That issue came up on a recent episode of Off Court with Greg, where Greg Rusedski said he would be keen to help Eala improve that side of her game. His assessment was direct, pointing to technical details he believes are holding the serve back.

“If I’m looking at her serve, I think her elbow position and throwing position need to get better, as well as the way she starts the motion, because there’s not enough tilt, in my opinion, especially with the front shoulder and the back shoulder,” said Rusedski about Eala’s serve.

He added that the setup is too rigid and explained why that matters for the motion and power production.

“So it’s too square. And when you’re square, it’s really hard. You’d never throw a ball like that. For me, that’s the first thing I’d work on, because if you can change that angle, which isn’t that difficult a thing to do, but it’s making it a habit that takes a little bit longer, then she can use the explosiveness of the elbow to throw and loosen up the wrist on the serve, which would definitely get her a few MPH.

“I’d love to have a crack at it. I don’t know if I’d ever be invited to do so. But during the offseason, that would be something I would be very interested in doing because if she gets the serve, it just opens up everything.”

Eala is currently working with Joan Bosch, whom she met at the Rafael Nadal Academy, while she has also been training recently with Toni Nadal.

Rusedski brings a coaching background of his own. After retiring in the mid-2000s, he worked as a development coach for the Lawn Tennis Association from 2007 to 2016, then became Great Britain Junior Davis Cup captain. He worked with Kyle Edmund and also spent time with Heather Watson and Johanna Konta. He had a brief spell with Victoria Azarenka between July and September 2024, and this year he also worked with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after his split with Francisco Roig.