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Rybakina Closer to No. 1 After Overpowering Osaka
Confirmed
In Short: Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open with a commanding victory over Naomi Osaka, bringing her closer to the world number one ranking.
Elena Rybakina, the Kazakh second seed, overpowered 13th seed Naomi Osaka to win 6-1, 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium, securing her place in the quarter-finals and setting up a match against China's Zheng Qinwen. Rybakina, who has already won two Grand Slam titles, is now just one victory away from becoming the world's top-ranked player.
Rybakina's performance was marked by her deep groundstrokes and consistent serving, which allowed her to convert two of her three break-point chances and finish the match with an ace. Despite Osaka's strong backing from the crowd, the Kazakhstani remained in control, particularly in the first set where she raced into a commanding position.
Osaka, who was playing her first match since her Australian Open title, showed greater resistance in the second set but was ultimately unable to contend with Rybakina's superior play. The two-time Grand Slam champion struggled to find her spots and was unable to break Rybakina's serve, who hit a total of 29 winners to Osaka's nine.
Rybakina expressed her desire for the number one ranking, stating, 'Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who won't want this.' Her next opponent, Zheng Qinwen, will be a tough challenge, but a win would secure her place at the top of the rankings for the first time in her career.
Veteran journalist Christopher Clarey noted that Osaka's injury struggles and Rybakina's consistent play were key factors in the result. Clarey commented, 'It was a dominant performance by Rybakina, and the result was a testament to her form and Osaka's difficulties.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Rybakina will become world number one for the first time if she wins her last-eight tie in New York - even if top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka goes on to defend her title.
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- She was able to hold her ground on serve before Rybakina finally found the breakthrough in the seventh game to move ahead.
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- Zheng wins set from 5-0 down again to stun Swiatek I can't relate to pressure Eala faces - Gauff Rybakina, 27, dropped only four points in a near flawless performance on serve against four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who said after the match she was struggling with pain in her leg.
- Commentators during the match also noted that Osaka rarely made Rybakina move around the court, giving the Kazakh the stability to tee off on her groundstrokes without having to work out of position.
- “I honestly didn’t expect this,” Rybakina said afterward in the on-court interview.
- PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAr228 20260813_znp_r228_002 Copyright: xVasiliyxRyabykhx “Of course I want it,” Rybakina said.