Rybakina beats Osaka to reach US Open quarter-finals, closes in on World No. 1

Elena Rybakina delivered one of her most commanding performances of the 2026 US Open, defeating former champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.

The second-seeded Kazakh needed only 66 minutes to get past the 13th-seeded Osaka, producing a powerful serving and baseline display that gave her control for much of the contest.

The victory is significant beyond simply advancing Rybakina into the last eight. She is now one match win away from becoming world No. 1 for the first time.

Rybakina will face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.

Rybakina sets the tone immediately

There was little between the players in terms of expectations before the match, but Rybakina quickly established why she entered the contest as the higher seed. The 2022 Wimbledon champion broke Osaka twice in the opening set and needed just 22 minutes to take it 6-1.

Her first-strike tennis proved particularly effective. Rybakina repeatedly used deep groundstrokes to push Osaka behind the baseline before finishing points with her powerful serve and forehand.

Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, struggled to generate the sustained pressure that had carried her through earlier rounds.

Rybakina also remained composed despite knowing the Japanese star can change the complexion of a match quickly.

"Naomi's a tough opponent. I knew that no matter the score I needed to focus on each ball as everything can change quickly," Rybakina said after the match.

Osaka fights back but Rybakina stays in control

The second set was more competitive, with Osaka finding greater resistance and holding serve through the early stages. However, Rybakina continued to dictate with her depth and power.

At 2-2, Osaka appeared to be affected by the left-leg issue that had troubled her during the previous round, briefly clutching the area. She managed to save a break point and remain in contention.

Rybakina eventually found the breakthrough in the seventh game.

Osaka sent a forehand into the net, handing Rybakina the crucial break and allowing the Kazakh to move closer to victory.

There was no late collapse.

Rybakina served out the match to complete a straight-sets victory and secure her first US Open quarter-final appearance.

Australian Open champion chasing another Grand Slam

Rybakina's run in New York adds another significant chapter to an increasingly impressive Grand Slam career. She won her first major at Wimbledon in 2022 before adding the 2026 Australian Open title.

A victory over Zheng would put her into the US Open semi-finals and leave her two wins from completing another Grand Slam triumph. For now, however, the immediate target is the world No. 1 ranking.

"I'll try to approach [the next match] the same way and try to do everything I can. Fight till the end in my next match," Rybakina said. "If I serve as well as I did today, I think I have all the chances."

Zheng stands between Rybakina and the semi-finals

Rybakina's next opponent, Zheng Qinwen, presents a very different challenge. The Olympic champion will test Rybakina's ability to maintain the same level of consistency against an opponent capable of matching her from the baseline.

For Rybakina, the equation is straightforward: win again and she will reach the US Open semi-finals while taking another major step towards the top of the women's rankings.

With the pressure of a potential No. 1 ranking now becoming increasingly real, Rybakina's ability to reproduce the level she showed against Osaka could prove decisive.

What the result means

Rybakina's victory ticks several important boxes:

• US Open: First career quarter-final in New York.
• Score: Beat Osaka 6-1, 6-4.
• Time: Completed the match in 66 minutes.
• Ranking: One win away from becoming world No. 1.
• Grand Slam form: Building on her 2026 Australian Open triumph.
• Next opponent: Zheng Qinwen.

Osaka, meanwhile, exits after another encouraging Grand Slam campaign but was unable to match Rybakina's level on the day.

For Rybakina, the bigger prize is still within reach. One more victory could take her into the US Open semi-finals, and to the top of the world rankings.

SportsLigue