Elena Rybakina, the second seed, dispatched 13th-seeded Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round of the US Open 2026. The Kazakhstani reaches the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows for the first time in her career and stands just one victory away from claiming the world No. 1 ranking.
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A first set wrapped up in 25 minutes
Rybakina gave Osaka no chance in the opening set. Powerful serving, surgical shot placement: the 2022 Wimbledon champion closed out the first set with an ace after just 25 minutes of play. The Japanese player, a two-time US Open champion, found no answers to her opponent's relentless power and consistency. The 6-1 scoreline reflected Rybakina's total command in the opening act.
Osaka fights back but cannot turn the tide
The second set produced more resistance from Osaka. The Japanese player steadied her service games and matched Rybakina through 3-3. But the decisive break came in the seventh game, when Rybakina fired a backhand down the line that left Osaka stranded. At 6-4, the Kazakhstani wrapped up the match in just 72 minutes, delivering her strongest performance of the tournament.
World No. 1 within reach
The stakes extend well beyond this single match. Rybakina is mathematically guaranteed to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka atop the WTA rankings if she reaches the semifinals. She needs just one more win to become world No. 1 for the first time. In the quarterfinals, she will face Zheng Qinwen, the Chinese qualifier who stunned Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 earlier on Monday. Rybakina leads their head-to-head 3-1, but Zheng's current form, having pulled off two spectacular comebacks from 0-5 down in this tournament, demands respect. This season, Rybakina boasts a 48-10 win-loss record with three titles, the kind of consistency that has brought her to the doorstep of the world's top ranking. (Sources: NBC Sports, Tennis Majors, ESPN)
