Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to close in on number one ranking

Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to close in on number one ranking. Elena Rybakina sweeps aside two-time champion Naomi Osaka to reach the US Open quarter-finals and close in on becoming world number one.

What happened

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elena Rybakina is a two-time Grand Slam championByPaul BattisonBBC Sport JournalistPublished7 minutes agoElena 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. "Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who won't want this," Rybakina said of the number one ranking. Rybakina will top the women's rankings if she reaches the semi-finals, and there is every chance she could leave Flushing Meadows as the new US Open champion after dismantling two-time winner Osaka on Louis Armstrong.

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. Rybakina, 27, dropped only four points in a near flawless performance on serve against four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka. Reigning Australian Open champion Rybakina opened up a double break over Osaka, before sealing the set in just 21 minutes. Osaka showed 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 wider picture

Rybakina sealed the match inside 66 minutes with her seventh ace of a match where she hit a total of 29 winners to Osaka's nine. S. cruises past Czechia to close out pool play2hOlympic champ Lyles won't run in lucrative event4hTempo's Allemand breaks World Cup assist recordToronto Tempo9hU. Skip to content US Open 2026: Elena Rybakina too strong for Naomi Osaka as Qinwen Zheng comeback stuns Iga Swiatek Elena Rybakina beats Naomi Osaka in 66 minutes to set up a quarter-final against Qinwen Zheng, who mounted a stunning comeback to beat Iga Swiatek; Mirra Andreeva also into last eight with win over Anastasia Potapova; watch the US Open live on Sky Sports Tennis Monday 7 September 2026 23:18, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Naomi Osaka's match against Elena Rybakina at the US Open.

Elena Rybakina cruised into the US Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over Naomi Osaka to maintain her push for the world No 1 spot. 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. 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. In other games on Monday, China beat Italy; Germany topped Mali; Belgium beat Australia; Puerto Rico edged Turkey; France routed Nigeria; Spain beat Japan and Hungary slipped past Korea.

It took the second seed just over 20 minutes to wrap up the first set 6-1 before securing a decisive break midway through the second to quell a resurgent Osaka and seal an emphatic 6-1 6-4 victory.

What has been reported

" Also See: Stream the US Open contract-free with NOW 📺💻 US Open scores, results and upcoming matches 🎾 US Open videos, highlights and best shots ▶️ Get Sky Sports app for news, video and more 📱 Rybakina's level is 'ridiculous'Sky Sports Tennis' Laura Robson:"Rybakina's level is just ridiculous. She had the answer to every question Osaka asked of her. There was just no area where Osaka could find breathing room. "Zheng stages epic comeback as Swiatek implodes Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Iga Swiatek's match against Qinwen Zheng at the US Open Rybakina will face Qinwen Zheng in the last eight after the Chinese star staged a second epic comeback in as many days at the US Open, stunning former champion Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals for the third time.

Reigning Olympic champion Zheng came from 5-0 down in the first set of her fourth-round match to beat former champion Iga Swiatek. "I tried to approach it the same way and do everything I can, and fight to the end of my next match. "If I serve as well as I did today, I think I can do well. "Zheng wins set from 5-0 down again to stun SwiatekPublished20 minutes agoI can't relate to pressure Eala faces – GauffPublished14 hours agoUS Open: What next for Iga Swiatek?

What happens next

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The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, espn.com, skysports.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.