Suarez Navarro has her opponent on the run and Williams lashes a forehand into the net, before a long forehand has the American glaring at her racquet.

Some speedy footwork from Williams throws Suarez Navarro off, and her attempted passing shot drifts well out of play, but the Spaniard chucks down a big serve to get on the board.

Image source, Reuters

Venus, bedecked in pink and grey, bounces the ball twice and launches through her service game.

A bit too much zip on a backhand, and then a forehand, gift Suarez Navarro two points but Williams holds as a big serve is lashed long by her opponent.

Ooh. A double fault from Carla Suarez Navarro takes the score to 30-30 as Venus waits patiently.

She takes a step inside the court, hammers a return and takes Suarez Navarro by surprise. She lashes a forehand long, and it's break point, Williams.

And she takes it! The ideal start for Venus as she advances to the net and watches Suarez Navarro's forehand go long.

Image source, Getty Images

Right, here we go. It'll be the Spaniard to serve first up.

It's Carla Suarez Navarro's birthday today - and what better way to celebrate than with a win over a two-time US champion?

Navarro has won three of her seven meetings with Williams but it was Venus who triumphed when the two met at Wimbledon last year.

Navarro has reached the quarter-finals just once at Flushing Meadows, back in 2013, where she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Image source, Getty Images

Venus could return to the world top five for the first time since January 2011 if she reaches the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.

She's had an impressive year at the majors, reaching her first Grand Slam final since 2009 at the Australian Open, before going on to reach the Wimbledon final.

She's played 102 Grand Slam matches - the most of any active player - and has a win-loss record of 87-15 at Slams. Only Martina Navratilova (120-14) and Chris Evert (96-15) have played and won more times.

Image source, Reuters

Here they come. A group of kids stick out their hands to high-five Carla Suarez Navarro and Venus Williams as they make their way onto the court, and are ignored by both players, who have their game faces firmly on.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Sevastova beat Muguruza and Konta on the same court last year, and Sharapova was playing her fourth match since May, so this result maybe shouldn't come as a surprise. The Latvian's ability to keep getting Sharapova's heaviest blows back was something to behold and forced the Russian to go for too much - 17, 16 and 18 errors across each of the three sets.

Sharapova was also made to run the best part of 2km, which feels a lot further when you add in the playing world-class tennis at the same time bit.

The women's rankings is a topsy-turvey place to be - just look at Angelique Kerber, who was number one just two months ago and is about to drop out of the top 10.

There are three players still in the mix to top the the WTA world ranking tree at the end of the US Open.

• Garbine Muguruza is in the best place to become number one. She will take Pliskova's crown if she reaches the final.
• Current world number four Elina Svitolina needs to reach the semis to be in with a chance of the top spot. If Muguruza reaches the quarter-finals, Svitolina will need to reach the final to overtake her.
• Current leader Karolina Pliskova will need to reach the final to keep her status. If Muguruza reaches the semis, then Pliskova would need to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows.

Got it? No, neither have we...

Image source, Getty Images

Ta, Caz.

Right, up next is one Venus Williams.

I'm going for a rest (read: eat chocolate brownies).

I'll hand you over to Amy Lofthouse, who will guide you through Venus Williams against Carla Suarez Navarro.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Sharapova is out - great performance from Sevastova. She made Sharapova run 1,907m apparently. Probably felt like a lot more.

Anastasija Sevastova speaking after her victory: "Playing on Ashe is an amazing atmosphere, every time. It makes it fun to play here.

"The first set was very close, it could have gone either way. She played unbelievable throughout the first and second set and I just kept fighting, running every ball, and just stayed there.The emotions are high but it's still 5-2. I wanted to close it so much.

"Sloane has had a great summer, she's playing so well, so I hope it's going to be on Ashe and I hope we're going to put on a show!"

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

What an incredible performance both players. Sevastova, having to deal with some tough moments, and to keep her composure. She was just more stable and solid at the end.

What a match that was!

Sharapova was brilliant at times but the stats speak for themselves. She racked up 51 unforced errors compared to 14 from the really very impressive Anastasija Sevastova.

This is the second consecutive year she has reached the US Open quarter-finals. The 16th seed will face Slone Stephens next.

The advantage and third match point is with Sevastova after Sharapova goes wide.

And the Latvian is denied again by a fired-up Sharapova! Back to deuce.

One is saved by Sharapova, thanks to an overpowering forehand.

The second is saved in the same way.

Sevastova is LIVID. Two match points: denied.

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

That's unbelievable play from Sevastova. Sharapova has come out in this third set and I've been surprised she's missed so many shots, especially on those swing volleys. Sevastova has defended really well and I think it's caught up on Sharapova.

Image source, Getty Images