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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, setting herself up for a potential third Grand Slam title and a chance to become world number one.
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 Kazakhstani consistently found her spots and kept the ball beyond Osaka's reach, converting two of her three break-point chances and finishing the set with an ace as she raced into a commanding position.
Rybakina opened up a double break over Osaka, before sealing the set in just 21 minutes. She broke to go 4-3 up, before safely seeing out the rest of the match, with Osaka unable to contend with her opponent's deep groundstrokes. This time, however, her campaign came to an end in the fourth round after being handed a difficult draw that brought her up against Rybakina earlier than she would have hoped.
The dominant win sets up a last-eight meeting with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and leaves Rybakina just one more victory away from becoming world number one. If she wins her last-eight tie in New York, even if top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka goes on to defend her title, Rybakina will secure the top spot.
Despite Osaka enjoying strong backing from the crowd, Rybakina remained firmly in control with an impressive serving display. She hit a total of 29 winners to Osaka's nine, and sealed the match with her seventh ace. The victory marks a significant step towards Rybakina's goal of becoming the world's top-ranked player.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- "Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who won't want this," Rybakina said of the number one ranking.
- Elena Rybakina is a two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina swept aside two-time champion Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open 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 quarter-final against China's Zheng Qinwen.
- Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to close in on number one ranking Suranne Jones returns: A new case with even higher stakes Reaction to a dramatic and memorable Italian Grand Prix Tuck into a fresh series of Celebrity MasterChef Why do some people love the thrill of rollercoasters?
- She was able to hold her ground on serve before Rybakina finally found the breakthrough in the seventh game to move ahead.
- This time, however, her campaign came to an end in the fourth round after being handed a difficult draw that brought her up against Rybakina earlier than she would have hoped. - Ends Published By: alan john Published On: Sep 8, 2026 03:15 IST Pakistan overcome India loss to book Women's Asia Cup semis spot with Hong Kong win | Amazon cargo jet crash in Miami: probe focuses on late touchdown | After 25 years, 9/11 suspect's al-Qaeda, Saudi links emerge; FBI never pursued him | What lies beneath?
- Elena Rybakina took another confident step towards a potential third Grand Slam title on Monday, producing a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over former US Open champion Naomi Osaka to book her place in the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.