Aryna Sabalenka faces bizarre world No.1 scenario at US Open that could end 99-week reign

Aryna Sabalenka could lose her world number one ranking even if she wins her US Open quarter-final as an unusual scenario threatens to end her 99-week reign at the top.

Following a difficult couple of months, Sabalenka has demonstrated her US Open title credentials by winning her first four matches of the tournament without dropping a set.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old booked her place in the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Taylor Townsend to set up a mouth-watering showdown with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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How Aryna Sabalenka could lose world No.1 even if she beats Linda Noskova

Sabalenka climbed to the top of the world rankings in October 2024, shortly after winning her first US Open title with a victory over Jessica Pegula.

The Belarusian has since held that spot for a whopping 99 weeks, though her position as the best in women's tennis has come under threat from the chasing pack.

A disappointing 2026 has seen the four-time Grand Slam champion fail to win a major title, while current world number two Elena Rybakina triumphed at the Australian Open and Canadian Open to move to within touching distance of Sabalenka in the WTA rankings.

Rybakina entered the US Open just 434 points behind Sabalenka, meaning the 27-year-old can overtake her as world number one by beating Qinwen Zheng in Tuesday's quarter-final.

Bizarrely, that means Sabalenka could finish her match against Noskova without knowing whether she is still world number one. Even if she beats the Czech, one more victory for Rybakina would be enough to displace her at the top.

So, what happens if Rybakina loses in the last eight against Zheng? Well, providing Sabalenka fails to win her third successive US Open title, two other players could still become the new world number one after the event.

Jessica Pegula started the US Open in third place, 1,310 points behind Sabalenka, while Coco Gauff began the event in fourth and 1,871 points off top spot.

That means if Rybakina loses before the semi-finals, Pegula and 2023 champion Gauff can rise to first position by winning the tournament.

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Longest streaks as WTA No.1

Sabalenka is on a 99-week streak as world number one, and there is a huge chance the Belarusian's run comes to an end, potentially by Tuesday evening.

She needs a favour from Zheng to keep her faint hopes alive, but of course, she still needs to win the tournament in any case.

Currently, Sabalenka is sixth in the list of WTA stars who held number one for the longest, with the iconic Steffi Graf and Serena Williams sharing the top spot on 186 weeks.

Steffi Graf (1987-1991) - 186 weeks

Serena Williams (2013-2016) - 186 weeks

Martina Navratilova (1982-1985) - 156 weeks

Ashleigh Barty (2019-2022) - 114 weeks

Chris Evert (1976-1978) - 113 weeks

Aryna Sabalenka (2024-2026) - 99 weeks*