{
  "id": 6350468,
  "title": "Sabalenka happy to trade top ranking for US Open ‘three-peat’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sabalenka-happy-to-trade-top-ranking-for-us-open-three-peat-6350468",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T23:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/09/sabalenka-happy-to-trade-top-ranking-for-us-open-three-peat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aryna Sabalenka is considering a trade-off between maintaining her world No 1 ranking and securing a third consecutive US Open title. The Belarusian player could lose her top ranking if she fails to reach the semi-finals, with Elena Rybakina poised to overtake her if she wins the quarter-final match against Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, who edged out Linda Noskova in a grueling three-set battle, expressed her excitement about the prospect of a three-peat, stating that it would be \"great\" to achieve such a feat. However, she acknowledges the challenges of defending a title she has already claimed twice at the same Grand Slam, recalling her loss to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open final. Sabalenka remains focused on her goals, emphasizing the importance of ignoring distractions and maintaining her determination. If the current form persists, Sabalenka and Rybakina will face off in the Saturday final, reigniting a fierce rivalry that has previously captivated audiences at major tournaments.",
  "summary": "The prospect of a third straight title holds greater appeal for Aryna Sabalenka, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2012-14.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Sabalenka survives Noskova test to reach US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sabalenka-survives-noskova-test-to-reach-us-open-semis-6312812",
        "published": "2026-09-08T18:24:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Sabalenka survives Noskova test to reach US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sabalenka-survives-noskova-test-to-reach-us-open-semis",
        "published": "2026-09-08T18:26:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Aryna Sabalenka beats Linda Noskova to reach US Open semifinals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/aryna-sabalenka-beats-linda-noskova-to-reach-us-open-semifinals",
        "published": "2026-09-08T19:48:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Sabalenka stays alive at US Open by telling herself 'the match is over'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sabalenka-stays-alive-at-us-open-by-telling-herself-the-match-is-over",
        "published": "2026-09-08T20:59:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Aryna Sabalenka vs Linda Noskova highlights",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/aryna-sabalenka-vs-linda-noskova-highlights",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:31:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Aryna Sabalenka vs Linda Noskova highlights",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/aryna-sabalenka-vs-linda-noskova-highlights-6336219",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:31:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sabalenka holds off Noskova to keep US Open three-peat bid alive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sabalenka-holds-off-noskova-to-keep-us-open-three-peat-bid-alive",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:37:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}