Aryna Sabalenka scored a must-win victory on Tuesday to salvage her US Open title hat-trick chances and her world No. 1 status as she fought past Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to reach her sixth consecutive semi-final at the event.

The top seed is fighting to maintain her status while working to lift a third straight title in New York after 99 weeks on world No. 1. She is under threat from Elena Rybakina, who could knock her out of the top spot with a quarter-final win later over China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka delivered a timely second serve ace on match point against Wimbledon holder Noskova to end nearly two and a half hours of struggle between the Grand Slam winners in which Sabalenka lost her first set of this edition.

“What a battle, what an incredible player she is, I’m speechless,” the winner said. “I had to push myself to the limit.

“I’m super happy to get this win. These tight matches have big pressure. But a win helps to boost my confidence, energy and motivation. 

“I’m glad I made an ace on match point, it shows I’m ready to fight.”:

Sabalenka snuck out the opening set after being broken while serving for it 5-3 but managed to dominate a tiebreaker for the early lead.

But Noskova fired back in the second, running out to 5-2 and levelling the quarter-final with ace on her fourth set point.

Both women lifted in the third, exchanging service breaks, with Sabalenka winning three straight games to 4-5. The pair stayed level until the deciding set match tiebreak where Sabalenka managed to squeze through for the win.

“In the second set, I thought that was it,” she said. “The match seemed over but I played loose and went for my shots.

With trophies here in 2024 and 2025, Sabalenka is hoping to become the first since Serena Williams to win three New York titles in a row. 

Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka makes great escape – by ISF Ltd

Novak Djokovic is aiming to keep his top form for a few more seasons, with the Serb dreaming of a career finale at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The former world No. 1 Serb who will start his 2026 season in Adelaide prior to the January 18 start of the Australian Open, told a sports conference in Dubai of his master plan.

“I do want to keep on going,” the 38-year-old said. “I’ve said LA Olympics, 2028, is kind of a guiding star, but honestly, there’s no limit. So let’s see…

“I just keep going. I love hitting the tennis ball, and I love competing. I was saying to the guys that I was talking to, the greats in football, that it’s really about passion and love.

“As long as you really feel like you’re playing on a high level and your body holds on, why not?”

The winner of 24 Grand Slam singles titles has not owned a major in two years (2023 US Open) and notched trophies last season at 250 events in Geneva and Athens.

In a Tour now dominated by young guns Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the veteran is having his troubles in keeping up.

He managed semi-finals of all four Slams in 2025 and claimed a 100th career title with his Geneva success last May, one of only 13 events he played last season.

Novak Djokovic may be bypassing the ATP Finals this week, but that doesn’t mean that the 38-year-old might be closer to calling time on his record-setting career.

After winning the weekend title in his new home base of Athens – at an event owned and run by himself and his family – the 24-time Grand Slam winner dropped the hint that he hopes to stay in the mix until the 2028 Olympics.

Djoko won the gold medal at the Paris Games and indicated that he wanted to defend Serb colours in the Los Angeles in just over two and a half years.

“I’ve always had this throughout my life and my career, I’ve always had a schedule in my head for a year or more, what I want, how I want it,” he said.

“Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag, that would be nice.”

But the winner of 101 career titles said that his future fitness will eventually be the deciding factor..

“I really don’t know, because there are some things that are not entirely in my control. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible mentally and physically.”

Djokovic qualified long ago into the eight-man Finals field in Turin but opted not to take his place. That handed the eighth spot to his defeated Athens final opponent Lorenzo Musetti of Italy

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic winning his “home” tournament in Athens