US Open 2026: Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to reach last eight
Elena Rybakina defeats Naomi Osaka 6-1 6-4 to reach the US Open 2026 quarter-finals and closes in on the world number one ranking.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Elena Rybakina beat Naomi Osaka 6-1 6-4 in the US Open 2026 fourth round
- Rybakina needs a quarter-final win in New York to become world number one
- The 27-year-old Australian Open champion wrapped up the win in 66 minutes
Elena Rybakina swept aside two-time champion Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open 2026 and close in on becoming world number one. The Kazakh second seed overpowered 13th seed Osaka to win 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium to set up a crucial quarter-final clash against China's Zheng Qinwen.
Rybakina, 27, dropped only four points in a near flawless performance on serve against the four-time Grand Slam champion. Entering the match full of confidence without dropping a set in her opening three rounds, she took total control of the contest in a dominant opening set that lasted just 21 minutes after securing a double break over Osaka.
Osaka showed greater resistance early in the second set, but after failing to convert her only break point of the match, Rybakina soon seized control again. The reigning Australian Open champion broke to go 4-3 up before safely seeing out the remainder of the match, as Osaka proved unable to cope with her opponent's deep groundstrokes, sealing the victory with her seventh ace.
"I tried to approach it the same way and do everything I can, and fight to the end of my next match."
With this win, Rybakina advances to face reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who staged a remarkable comeback from 5-0 down in the first set to beat Iga Swiatek. More importantly, Rybakina will become world number one for the very first time if she wins her upcoming quarter-final tie in New York, regardless of whether top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka successfully defends her title.
Elena Rybakina's pursuit of the world number one ranking highlights the intense competitiveness at the pinnacle of women's tennis. Her ability to combine devastating serving power with baseline consistency in high-stakes Grand Slam matches demonstrates why she remains a formidable force on the WTA Tour, setting the stage for a dramatic finish to the tennis season.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Source: BBC Sport
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