Aryna Sabalenka came from a set down to keep her US Open dream alive as she beat Ekaterina Alexandrova in the early hours at Flushing Meadows. 

Sabalenka emerged on court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at seven minutes past midnight following Novak Djokovic's shock exit from the tournament, and consecutive upsets looked to be on the cards. 

However, the Belarusian responded from a disappointing opening set as she looks to avenge her defeat in the showpiece match against Coco Gauff a year ago.

The world number two set up a meeting with Belgium's Elise Mertens as she emerged a 2-6 6-1 6-2 victor in one hour and 40 minutes in New York. 

"I don't know what I did, I was just trying to stay low, put as many balls as I can back on that side," Sabalenka said. 

"She played incredible tennis in the first set. It was really tough to change it."

"I'm really happy I was able to turn around this match and get this really difficult win. Thanks so much for staying that late."

Data Debrief: Sabalenka survives late, late show

Sabalenka's encounter with Alexandrova was the latest starting match at the US Open, beating Gabriela Sabatini and Beverley Bowes' meeting in 1987 that started at midnight.

The Belarusian, however, will be hoping for a much improved performance in the next round, having produced 27 unforced errors throughout the contest and serving four double faults.

Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock exit at Flushing Meadows as he lost in four sets to Alexei Popyrin. 

Djokovic arrived at the tournament with confidence following his gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics, and was tipped to lift a record-extending 25th grand slam title.

However, the Serbian's hopes of a fifth success in New York were dashed as he followed fellow favourite Carlos Alcaraz out of the competition in the third round. 

Popyrin emerged victorious in three hours and 18 minutes, prevailing 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 to confirm Djokovic's earliest exit from the tournament in 18 years.

"I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played," Djokovic said.

"Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success."

"I tried my best, I didn't have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, and you could see that. From the first match, I just didn't find myself on this court.

"Life moves on. I'll try to recalibrate and look forward to what's next."

Data Debrief: Another one bites the dust

Djokovic was far from his clinical best, serving a career-high 14 double faults in a grand slam match and committing 49 unforced errors.

The Serbian will also end the year without winning a grand slam title, the first time he has done so since 2017.

But the day belonged to Popyrin, saving 12 of the 16 break points he faced against the world number two, finding particular success with his forehand as 31 of his 49 winners came from that shot.

Before a sellout crowd of 9,445, Caitlin Clark scored a career-high 31 points to go with 12 assists in her final regular-season matchup with fellow rookie sensation Angel Reese to lead the Indiana Fever to a100-81 rout of the reeling Chicago Sky on Friday night.

Clark became the only player in league history with three games of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a season. She was 8 for 14 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range, in her 11th double-double.

Reese tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds, breaking a tie with Tina Charles for rookie double-doubles with 23 and passing Sylvia Fowles for the Chicago season record. Reese got the record with 1:32 remaining, long after Clark and the other Indiana starters left the game. She also has a rookie record 399 rebounds.

Clark may have locked up the top spot in the much-hyped Rookie of the Year race as the Fever (16-16) beat the Sky (11-20) for the third time in four matchups, solidifying their probable playoff berth while Chicago is barely hanging on to the last spot as the season winds down.

Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings, but the Houston Astros needed Jose Altuve’s walk-off double to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Friday night.

The game was tied 2-2 when Jake Meyers singled off James McArthur with one out in the ninth. With two outs, Altuve bounced his double off the wall in left field to send Meyers home and set off a wild celebration.

The Royals didn’t get their first hit until the eighth and trailed 2-0 in the ninth when Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña. With one out, Paul DeJong sent a slider from closer Josh Hader into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie it.

Valdez was pulled after throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter.

Bryan Abreu took over to start the eighth and Michael Massey was retired on a fly ball before pinch-hitter MJ Melendez grounded out. Pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel then grounded a single to left field for the Royals' first hit.

Valdez threw a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He nearly had a second one earlier this month before Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over Texas on Aug. 6.

Ben Gamel led off Houston’s third with his first home run this season and Victor Caratini doubled home a run in the eighth.

The Royals lost their third straight and dropped 2 ½ games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland.

Dodgers beat Diamondbacks in NL West showdown

Freddie Freeman hit an early two-run homer, Will Smith added a three-run shot and Shohei Ohtani had his 43rd of the season as the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 10-9 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a key four-game series.

With their third straight win and ninth in 11 games, the Dodgers opened a five-game lead over Arizona and San Diego in the West.

Ohtani stole his 43rd base in the second inning and homered to make it 10-5 in the eighth. He is the first player in history with at least 43 homers and 43 steals in a single season.

The Dodgers took a 10-5 lead to the bottom of the ninth, but the Diamondbacks made it a one-run game against Anthony Banda on Jake McCarthy’s two-run single and Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer. Banda then got Corbin Carroll to foul out and retired Luis Guillorme on a fly to left.

Freeman’s blast in the first off Zac Gallen came after Ohtani led off the game with a double.

The Dodgers extended to a 5-0 advantage with three runs in the second. Miguel Rojas singled home a run, Mookie Betts had a sacrifice fly and Freeman’s groundout plated another run.

Carroll homered for the fourth time in four games for Arizona, which has lost three of four following six consecutive wins.

Los Angeles left-hander Clayton Kershaw left his start in the second inning after suffering pain in his left big toe.

Arcia’s blasts power Braves

Orlando Arcia hit a pair of solo homers, the first one as part of back-to-back shots with Sean Murphy in the third inning, to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

While both teams are virtual locks to reach the playoffs, a split of the first two games of a four-game weekend set between the NL East rivals moved the Braves within five games of the division-leading Phillies with 27 games left in the season.

Reynaldo López won his second straight start and has seemingly rebounded from an 0-3 June. He gave up one run and tossed four-hit ball over six innings with six strikeouts.

He lowered his ERA against the Phillies this season to 1.06 over three starts and 17 innings.

Bryce Harper doubled twice off López - giving him 33 this season - and singled but while wearing a black sleeve on his right arm. A two-time NL MVP, Harper said ahead of the game he’s battled nagging wrist and elbow issues.

Bill Belichick's failure to land another coaching role in the NFL after leaving the New England Patriots was unsurprising due to the level of control he demands, says his former tackle Mike Pennel.

Belichick is regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, leading the Patriots to nine Super Bowls and winning six during 23 seasons in charge between 2000 and 2023.

His six Super Bowl titles as a head coach match the best returns of any franchise in NFL history, with the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers both possessing six.

He is also within reach of Don Shula's record for the most victories as an NFL head coach, with his total of 333 (including postseason games) putting him 14 behind the Miami Dolphins legend (347).

If only regular-season games are counted, Belichick has 302 victories to Shula's 328.

However, Belichick parted company with the Patriots after they went 4-13 during a dismal 2023 season, and he was unable to land a new role despite being linked with several teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

Pennel, who spent six months with Belichick's Patriots in 2019, believes the level of control he demands over a franchise's direction proved off-putting. 

"Bill Belichick's one of the greatest coaches of all time, if not that. So it's going to look a lot different. He was coaching in the NFL before I was even alive," he told Stats Perform.

"I'm clearly just speculating because I'm not part of the New England Patriots franchise, but I just think the situation was, it was that time where they wanted to change.

"They wanted a fresh face and Bill wants things to run a certain way and I don't think franchises are willing to relinquish that much control to a new coach. 

"I just think he wants to take his time. I know he's a family man and just wants to enjoy the time with his family. He's already done everything."

Jerod Mayo has taken the reins in Foxborough following Belichick's departure, with quarterback Drake Maye being drafted third overall to lead the team into a new era.

Pennel, however, believes teething problems will be part of the process this year, saying: "It's hard. It takes some time. You know, there's a couple years of transition depending on how much time you have with the players and everything like that. 

"You're learning a whole new system. You're learning with all new players, you're learning with all new staff, so it's very hard. 

"I don't think it's ever happened like that, in the first year to go to a Super Bowl. It's hard to get to that successful level."

Coco Gauff rallied after a slow start in the US Open third round, staging a comeback win over Elina Svitolina to keep her title defence alive.

The American dug deep, altering her approach to claim a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory over the Ukrainian in just over two hours on Friday.

It was an even start to the match as both players tried to figure out their opponent, and Svitolina struck first, winning the final three games in the first set to take the lead.

Having successfully defended three break points during the first set, Svitolina could not maintain her momentum, with Gauff finding her footing, and getting the vital break in the sixth game to stretch into a lead that forced a decider.

After a strong start to the third set, the world number three failed to convert match point three times in the penultimate game but eventually got over the line with another break in the next.

After claiming her 60th win at grand slams, Gauff will face either Emma Navarro or Marta Kostyuk in the next round. 

Data Debrief: Gauff defies age again

Gauff was certainly made to work hard for the victory, but in doing so, she became the youngest player to win 10+ consecutive women's singles matches at the US Open since Serena Williams (11 wins in a row between 1999 and 2000).

She is also the player with the joint-most wins at the US Open in women's singles this century before turning 21, equalling Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams with 17.

Gauff has now reached the fourth round in every grand slam this year, making her just the second player in the last 10 years to achieve that feat before the age of 21, after Iga Swiatek

The Miami Dolphins have extended the contract of head coach Mike McDaniel through the 2028 season, ESPN reported Friday.

It's a three-year extension for McDaniel, who has two seasons remaining on the four-year contract he signed after being named Miami's head coach in February 2022.

McDaniel has gone 20-14 in two seasons with the Dolphins while leading the team to the playoffs both years, the franchise's first back-to-back postseason appearances since 2000-01. That resurgence has been led by an offence that's been among the NFL's best under the 41-year-old, who came to Miami after serving as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator for Kyle Shanahan in 2021. 

Miami was especially potent on that side the ball last season, as it led the NFL in total yards and finished second overall in scoring at 29.2 points per game while compiling an 11-6 record to tie for first place in the AFC East.

McDaniel's arrival has also coincided with Tua Tagovailoa's emergence into a top-tier quarterback after the 2020 No. 5 overall pick struggled his first two seasons under the previous coaching regime.

Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and set a Dolphins single-season record for completion percentage (69.3) while throwing for 29 touchdowns. 

McDaniel now joins his quarterback as members of the organisation the Dolphins have locked up for the forseeable future. Tagavoiloa agreed to a four-year, $212 million extension through 2028 last month. 

Travis Kelce's love of football means his off-field fame will not impact his desire to help the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl three-peat, says team-mate Mike Pennel.

Kelce has become recognised as one of the NFL's best tight ends through 11 seasons with the Chiefs, being named in the first All-Pro team on four occasions and becoming a nine-time Pro Bowler.

His partnership with quarterback Patrick Mahomes has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls, including back-to-back crowns to cap the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 

However, it is Kelce's relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift that has taken his off-field image to a new level, making him one of the world's most recognisable sportspeople.

Alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, he also hosts the popular 'New Heights' podcast and has made several television appearances.

Chiefs tackle Pennel says there is no jealousy towards Kelce in the Chiefs' locker room, however.

He told Stats Perform: "We all love it, man. It's a brotherhood, so we're always excited when we see anyone on TV or succeeding off the field. 

"Trav definitely was that guy that had that trajectory, you know what I mean? So, to say that we're surprised by it... we're not really. I know that everybody's really happy for him and all the opportunities that he's getting."

The Chiefs are looking to make history in the 2024 season, with a chance to become the first team in the NFL to win three straight Super Bowls.

Of the eight previous teams to win back-to-back championships, none have even reached the Super Bowl in the following season. Pennel, however, believes Kelce's drive could help the Chiefs go where no team has gone before.

"I think it's testament to [general manager Brett] Veach. He puts people in the locker room that love the game of football," he said. 

"The money's great and everything like that, but I know genuinely that everyone in our locker room loves football. 

"I think that's what it's testament to, he's got all the accolades, he's done everything with all the money and everything, but he generally loves the game of football and loves being competitive and wants to help the Chiefs organisation excel.

"To take that next advantage with getting a three-peat and more Super Bowls, as many as they can during this window."

Seven-time NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau was killed Thursday night when struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding a bicycle, New Jersey State Police announced Friday. He was 31.

Gaudreau's younger brother, Matthew, 29, also sufffered fatal injuries in the incident that occurred near their hometown of Carneys Point, New Jersey.

Johnny Gaudreau, a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother were both in the area to attend their sister's wedding scheduled Friday in Philadelphia.

According to the State Police, both Gaudreau brothers were struck from behind by a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was attempting to pass another vehicle on the right. Police responded at 8:19 p.m. Eastern Time and pronounced both men dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto after being taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility.

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy," the team said in a statement. "Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew."

Johnny Gaudreau spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jackets following a stellar nine-year run with the Calgary Flames in which he made six All-Star teams and topped 30 goals in a season three times. He signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with Columbus as a free agent in July 2022.

The former Boston College standout also received the Lady Byng Trophy, which honours the NHL player who best exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in addition to a high standard of playing ability, for the 2016-17 season.

Johnny Gaudreau compiled 243 goals and 500 assists in 743 NHL regular-season games. His best season was his final one for the Flames in 2021-22, when he tied for second in the NHL with 115 points and finished third overall with 70 assists while helping Calgary win the Pacific Division.

"Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss," the Flames said in a statement. "Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary. It was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary. He came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice, but also a beloved member of our community.

The pain we feel for Johnny’s wife Meredith, children Noa and Johnny, parents Jane and Guy, sisters Kristen and Katie, and the entire Gaudreau family is immense."

Johnny Gaudreau also represented the United States several times in the IIHF World Championships and holds the U.S. records for career assists (30) and points (43) in that event, moving past Patrick Kane in both categories at the 2024 edition back in May.

The Flames selected Gaudreau in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, and he signed with the team three years later following a brilliant college career at Boston College. The 5-foot-9 forward helped the Eagles win the 2012 NCAA championship and later won the Hobey Baker Award honouring the nation's top collegiate player in 2014.

“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice," the Blue Jackets said. "He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.

"The impact he had on our organisation and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy."

Matthew Gaudreau also played at Boston College before spending four seasons in the minor leagues from 2017-22. He and Johnny were teammates at Boston College in 2013-14.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he and Max Verstappen have agreed to keep communications open with a view to a potential blockbuster move in the future.

Verstappen has emerged as the dominant force in Formula One since beating Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton to his first drivers' championship title in 2021, winning two further crowns and leading Lando Norris in the standings this year.

However, the Dutchman has repeatedly cast doubt upon his long-term future with Red Bull, suggesting ahead of last week's Dutch Grand Prix that he was more than halfway through his F1 career.

When Hamilton confirmed he would join Ferrari for 2025 in January, Mercedes were strongly linked with a move for Verstappen amid a turbulent time for Red Bull.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner was accused – and later cleared – of sexual harassment and coercive behaviour by a female team employee, with his relationship with Verstappen reportedly becoming strained.

Wolff admits there was a moment where the deal seemed possible, though Mercedes are now expected to confirm Andrea Kimi Antonelli as George Russell's team-mate for 2025.

"Red Bull was the dominant car at the beginning of the season," Wolff told BBC Sport. "And that changed a bit. It's Max Verstappen dominant at the moment.

"And the relationships were dysfunctional. I'm not sure they are back in a great place, but it is what it is. 

"There was a moment, or there was an opportunity, to at least have conversations of what it could be in the future, and this is what we did."

Asked if Verstappen could join the Silver Arrows for 2026, when wide-ranging regulation changes take effect, Wolff responded: "Much too early. 

"For the benefit of our drivers next year, I don't want to have any conversations about 2026 or beyond, because we very much hope that the 2025 lineup will be the lineup going forward.

"We have not given each other any, let's say, timings.

"It is more like, keep the communication channel open, while knowing that his priority is to make it function with Red Bull and our priority will be to make it function with the two drivers we have."

Scottie Scheffler is in prime position to win his first FedEx Cup title after storming into a seven-shot lead at the Tour Championship.

The world number one, who started on 10 under due to the FedEx Cup's staggered structure, carded a superb 65 in the first round of the PGA Tour's season-ending tournament, after recovering from an early bogey at East Lake.

Scheffler's haul included seven birdies, with five of those coming from his last seven holes, as he bids to win a seventh PGA Tour event of the season.

His main FedEx Cup challenger Xander Schauffele is tied for second on nine under par, along with Collin Morikawa, while Rory McIlroy is three shots back in T10.

However, the Northern Irishman has not given up hope of applying pressure to Scheffler as the tournament goes on.

"I'm happy with how I hung in there and had a good finish," McIlroy told Sky Sports.

"When I saw Scottie had gotten to 14, I was like, 'Oh, got to try to just hang on to the coattails a little bit'.

"Still feel like I've got a chance, and it was nice to finish the way I did."

Scheffler, also speaking to Sky Sports, said: "Yeah, I'm pleased with the day.

"I tried not to think about any sort of lead or anything like that, my job was to go out there and execute and I felt like I did a really good job of that. I felt like I was doing some good stuff to start the day.

"I had the bogey on one but after that I felt like I played some really good golf."

Naomi Osaka's wait for a deep run into a grand slam rolls on after the former world number one was beaten by Karolina Muchova at the US Open.

Osaka, a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, lost 6-3 7-6 (7-5) on Thursday.

She came up against a player in fine form in Muchova, with the Czech displaying the quality that saw her reach the semi-finals a year ago.

"I was just really trying to be focused," Muchova said.

"I know she's an amazing player and that I have to bring the A-game to have a chance. So I was just trying to be really focused on myself. I knew I had to serve well because her serve is really good. So I was just trying to be kind of locked in myself and focused out there."

"Then the energy and the big court and all that, it for sure helps me. I like that."

Osaka, meanwhile, suggested the nerves got to her on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I think during the pressure moments I got nervous," Osaka said, and I don't know if I just have to keep playing more matches and get used to that feeling, especially on a really big stage.

"Honestly, if I get past the disappointment, I feel pretty proud of myself to have gotten that many opportunities while still feeling like I could have played much better."

Data Debrief: Fifth time's the charm?

Muchova is one of nine players to have defeated five former world number ones at grand slam events.

However, out of those, she is the only active player yet to win a major or a WTA 1000 title. Will that change in New York?