NEW YORK — In a quarterfinal that offered a contrast in styles, it was the intense Aryna Sabalenka and her obvious force that overcame laid-back Linda Nosková and her stealthy power Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.With her world No. 1 ranking on the line, the defending U.S. Open champion knocked off this year’s Wimbledon champion 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) by reversing the narrative of her season since April.When Nosková’s unflappability under pressure left Sabalenka facing a 4-2 deficit in the third set, Sabalenka did not spiral to defeat, as she has done several times in uncharacteristically early losses in the past few months.Instead, she found the indomitable poise and unstoppable power that has carried her to the top of the sport, advancing to a sixth consecutive U.S. Open semifinal.There, she is sure to play an American — either No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula or No. 26 seed Emma Navarro — and she has the opportunity to maintain her status at the top of the game.In order to keep her No. 1 ranking, Sabalenka needs to both win the title and Elena Rybakina needs to lose her quarterfinal Tuesday against Zheng Qinwen.She’s tried to completely separate herself from the top ranking discourse at this tournament because it is out of her control. What is within her power is trying to win her third straight title. She said Tuesday she’d take another Grand Slam championship over all else.“Yes, I’ll be more than happy… three-peat. Sounds great.”How do tennis rankings work?Ava Wallace and Lia GriffinThat is all that was on Sabalenka’s mind as she took control early Tuesday against the rare opponent who can absorb her power and return it in kind. Sabalenka enjoys the challenge of facing someone who can hang with her in rallies.“Knowing that physically, my body can handle these matches again, I’m super happy with that. And of course these kind of tight matches give you so much confidence that you’re back and you’re ready to do anything it takes to get the win,” Sabalenka said.