Pliskova survives Shuai’s upset bid

NEW YORK — Karolina Pliskova can still win the U.S. Open and keep her No. 1 ranking, thanks to a big comeback Saturday.

Pliskova fought off a match point in the second set and rallied to beat No. 27 Zhang Shuai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round. Last year’s U.S. Open runner-up needs to at least return to the final to have a chance to remain atop the rankings when the year’s final major tournament is over, and it appeared for a while that the Czech wouldn’t get close.

But Pliskova stayed alive while trailing 5-4 in the second set, then pulled out the third after receiving treatment on her right forearm from a trainer between sets.

“Last Grand Slam (event) of the season and knowing you played fine (here) last year, you just want to play that good again,” Pliskova said. “I don’t feel I’m playing that good, but I’m still in the draw, so I’m not going to be sad.”

Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza and No. 4 seed Elina Svitolina are the other women who can still get to No. 1. Svitolina advanced to the round of 16 with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over American Shelby Rogers, who won the longest women’s match in U.S. Open history Thursday when she beat No. 25 Daria Gavrilova in 3 hours, 33 minutes.

This one went 1:33, ending when Svitolina’s forehand hit the tape and barely fell over the net onto Rogers’ side.

Pliskova, who fell to Angelique Kerber in the 2016 final, would need to win the tournament if Muguruza reaches the semifinals and loses. If Muguruza advances to the final, Pliskova would be eliminated from contention for the WTA’s top ranking.

“It’s not only about the points, but I just felt I really can play well here,” said Pliskova, who will next face American Jennifer Brady.

Another American advanced when No. 20 seed CoCo Vandeweghe outlasted No. 10 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

French Open women’s champion Jelena Ostapenko was ousted after suffering a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Daria Kasatkina.