Naomi Osaka US Open fashion drew attention, but Elena Rybakina took the result, beating Osaka 6-1 6-4 to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time. The win also kept her within reach of world number one if she reaches the last four.
Rybakina’s 6-1 6-4 edge
6-1 6-4 was the margin that sent Rybakina through, and she said she did not expect it. "I wasn't expecting that. I played really well today and feeling the ball was really good from my side."
First-time quarter-final progress at the US Open is the practical change here: Rybakina is now one round away from the last four, where the ranking equation turns in her favour. She put the match on her own terms by saying, "I am super happy with the performance, I knew that no matter the score, I needed to focus on each ball because everything can change quickly, she is also a very aggressive player. I am very glad with how I played today."
World number one race
One place higher in the draw now carries a ranking prize as well. Rybakina can replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one if she reaches the last four, so the next match is not just about survival in New York; it is about whether the route to the top stays open.
That also gives this result a harder edge than a routine fourth-round win. Naomi Osaka was expected to be an aggressive opponent, but Rybakina handled the match cleanly and turned that pressure into a straight-sets advance.
New York quarter-finals
7-5 6-3 was how Iga Swiatek lost to Zheng Qinwen, a reminder that the women’s draw is moving fast in New York. Swiatek has not got past the last eight in New York since winning the title in 2022, which leaves Rybakina’s breakthrough looking less like a one-off and more like the opening of a real ranking run.
Of course I want it [to become world number one], I don't know anyone who won't want this. I tried to approach it the same way and do everything I can and fight to the end of my next match, let's see what is going to happen. If I serve as well as I did today, I think I can do well. Let's hope it goes well my way.
Sport will carry overnight coverage from Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Radio 5 Sports Extra scheduled to begin at 16:30 BST the following day. For readers following the ranking race, the simple read is this: Rybakina did the hard part against Osaka, and now one more win could turn a quarter-final run into a shot at world number one.
