Aryna Sabalenka maintained her hopes of a third successive US Open title with a three-set victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in an absorbing quarter-final - a result that retains her status as world No 1 for at least one more day.

The 28-year-old beat Noskova 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (10-7), coming through two tie-breaks - and a 4-2 deficit in the final set - as she sealed victory with a second-serve ace to set up a meeting with the winner of Tuesday night's all-American clash between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro in the semi-finals.

Sabalenka needs to win in New York to have any hope of staying as world No 1 but will definitely lose that spot if Elena Rybakina - who defeated Sabalenka in this year's Australian Open final - overcomes Qinwen Zheng in her quarter-final on Wednesday.

If Rybakina is beaten, then Pegula or Coco Gauff could rise to the top of the rankings should they win the tournament at Flushing Meadows on Saturday evening.

Sabalenka, world No 1 for 99 consecutive weeks, is hoping to become the first woman to win the US Open three times in a row since Serena Williams from 2012-14.

Noskova, who had forced a first-set tie-break from 5-2 down, double faulted at 3-3 in the final-set breaker and then slipped 7-6 down after an unfortunate net cord, before Sabalenka, who has never lost a US Open quarter-final, edged into the last four.

Sabalenka extended her career record over Noskova to 3-0 after previously seeing off the 21-year-old in the Adelaide International final in 2023 and then the Indian Wells semi-finals earlier this year.

Noskova will not become the first woman to secure back-to-back Grand Slams since Naomi Osaka claimed the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open after seeing her 11-match winning streak in majors come to an end.

Sabalenka 'super happy' after tough battle

Aryna Sabalenka, speaking in her on-court interview:

"Thinking the match is over is probably what helped me to feel loose, go for my shots. I am super happy to get this win - a tough match, tough battle.

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

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

How Sabalenka fought past Noskova

Sabalenka broke Noskova to love in the second game of the match to take a 3-2 lead, only to lose four of the next five games as her Czech opponent fought back.

The first-set tie-break, however, was completely one-sided with Noskova's only point coming via an ace out wide as her double fault and Sabalenka's power settled things.

Noskova staved off break points early in the second set, including in the first game, and carved out two of her own on the Sabelanka serve at 3-2 up, taking the second of those when her rival produced an untimely double fault.

Sabalenka saved break point with an ace in her subsequent service game before Noskova went on to set up a deciding set by converting a fourth set point.

Noskova became the favourite when she broke Sabalenka for a 3-2 lead in the third set, with the world No 1 twice double-faulting in the game. But Sabalenka dug deep to level the match at 4-4 before the enthralled spectators were treated to another tie-break.

The second breaker was far more competitive than the first but Sabalenka came out on the right side of it once again to stay on course for a three-peat.

Henman: Sabalenka comes up with the big shots

Sky Sports Tennis' Tim Henman:

"Some of her [bad form] has been in lesser tournaments, where her intensity and concentration hasn't been quite as good.

"But when you face someone the quality of your opponent, you have to stand and deliver.

"Her tie-break record is absolutely phenomenal - when it comes to the most pressure-packed moments, she's the one that comes up with the big shots."

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