Elena Rybakina powered her way into the US Open quarter‑finals with a commanding straight‑sets win over Naomi Osaka, keeping her campaign for the world No.1 ranking firmly on track. The Kazakh star, who entered the tournament as the second seed, knows that a berth in the semi‑finals would guarantee her a return to the top of the WTA hierarchy, and after dismantling the two‑time champion Osaka on the iconic Louis Armstrong court, she expressed confidence that she can sustain her momentum all the way to the championship trophy.
The match lasted just over twenty minutes. Rybakina raced to a 6‑1 first set, breaking Osaka early and never looking back.
In the second set she secured a crucial break midway through the set, stifling Osaka’s attempts at a comeback and sealing a 6‑1, 6‑4 victory that left the crowd in awe. "I played really well today. I was feeling the ball was really good from my side," the former Wimbledon champion told reporters. "I was a bit lucky in some moments, found some lines, but super happy with the performance." Rybakina praised Osaka’s quality, noting that the Japanese star is always a difficult opponent.
"Naomi is a tough opponent. I knew no matter the score I needed to focus on each ball as everything can change quickly. She is also a great player. I am glad how I played today," she added.
The Kazakh then turned her thoughts to the ultimate prize: "I want to be world No 1. I don't know anyone who wouldn't wish for that. It is one of my goals.
I don't know what will happen in my next match but if I serve well, as I did today, I think I have all the chances. Hopefully it goes my way." Sky Sports’ tennis analyst Laura Robson summed up Rybakina’s display: "Rybakina's level is just ridiculous. The crowd were keen to keep the match going but she silences them. She had the answer to every question Osaka asked of her.
From the first ball, Rybakina led that. Cross‑court rallies, Rybakina led that, too. There was just no area where Osaka could find breathing room." With that victory, Rybakina now prepares to meet Chinese qualifier Qinwen Zheng in the last eight.
Zheng’s own story at Flushing Meadows has been nothing short of spectacular. After surviving a match point and trailing 5‑0 in the third set against Madison Keys two days earlier, the 22‑year‑old mounted a second dramatic comeback on Arthur Ashe Stadium, this time against former world No.1 Iga Swiatek. Swiatek seized the first five games, but Zheng refused to surrender, rallying to take the next seven and capture the opening set 7‑5. She then carried the momentum into the second set, overpowering a stunned Swiatek to close out the match 7‑5, 6‑3.
The defeat left Swiatek in tears as her campaign unraveled in a way few could have imagined. Zheng, who entered the tournament as a qualifier after a lengthy elbow injury, became the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarter‑finals since Emma Raducanu’s historic triumph in 2021. "I started the match not so well but I found my rhythm," Zheng said afterwards.
"It has been a long, long time since I played on a centre court and I really appreciate being here on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I took it point by point and little by little I started to play better and find my game. I even forgot the score at 4‑5 in the first set, which showed I was focused.
To come back from 0‑5 is not lucky, that's all I can say." Jonathan Overend of Sky Sports highlighted the rarity of Zheng’s achievement: "It's a straight‑set win but it's one of the great comebacks. Go figure.
How's that possible? Zheng made it happen. Two games in a row, 5‑0 down in sets.
She got the win against Madison Keys to get the first set today, before completing victory against Swiatek for only the second time in her career. The Chinese dream lives on as the qualifier makes it into the final eight." The tournament also saw emotional moments elsewhere.
Austrian rising star Anastasia Potapova was forced to retire after a painful knee twist while chasing a forehand in the third set against fifth‑seed Mirra Andreeva. Potapova had already taken the first set, but the injury prevented her from contesting further, and Andreeva completed the win 5‑7, 6‑4, 6‑3. "Anastasia is a good friend, and seeing what a battle we have and then seeing her fall is not easy," the 19‑year‑old Russian said, adding, "It's not the way you want to finish the match. I just told her she is playing amazing and I'm sure she'll come back even stronger, she's a warrior." As the US Open progresses, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast live coverage from August 30 onward.
Fans can stream matches contract‑free via the NOW platform, catch highlights and best‑of‑the‑day clips, or follow the action through the Sky Sports app for real‑time news and video updates. The tournament promises more drama, high‑quality tennis and the chance for new champions to emerge as the remaining players vie for the coveted trophy.