Elena Rybakina powered her way into the US Open quarter‑finals with a commanding straight‑sets win over Naomi Osaka, keeping her quest for the world No. 1 ranking firmly on track. The Kazakh star, seeded second, knows that a semi‑final appearance would guarantee her a return to the top spot, and after dismantling the two‑time champion on the iconic Louis Armstrong court, she feels confident that she can carry that momentum all the way to the championship trophy.
The match lasted just over 20 minutes. Rybakina raced to a 6‑1 first set, then secured a crucial break midway through the second set, quelling Osaka’s brief resurgence and sealing a 6‑1, 6‑4 victory. "I played really well today.
I was feeling the ball was really good from my side," the former Wimbledon champion said in the post‑match interview. "I was a bit lucky in some moments, found some lines, but super happy with the performance. 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.
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' Laura Robson summed up the 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 win, Rybakina will meet China's Qinwen Zheng in the last eight. Zheng has been the tournament's surprise package, pulling off a second dramatic comeback in as many days. After surviving match point and trailing 5‑0 in the third set against Madison Keys, Zheng turned the tide on Arthur Ashe Stadium, then repeated the feat against former champion Iga Swiatek. Swiatek started strongly, taking the first five games, but Zheng refused to capitulate.
She rallied to win the next seven games, taking the opening set 7‑5, and then overpowered a stunned Swiatek to close the match 7‑5, 6‑3. The former world No. 4 left the court in tears, her campaign unraveling 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 run in 2021. "I started the match not so well but I found my rhythm," Zheng explained. "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 an emotional exit for Anastasia Potapova.
The 25‑year‑old Austrian claimed the first set against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, but a twisted knee at 5‑3 down in the third forced her to play on a heavily strapped leg. Despite her bravery, she could not secure another point, and Andreeva rallied to 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," Andreeva said. "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, the drama on the courts continues to captivate fans worldwide. Rybakina's dominant performance and Zheng's inspiring underdog story illustrate the tournament's blend of power and perseverance.
Both athletes now have a clear path to the semi‑finals, where the stakes—and the pressure—will rise dramatically. The event remains available for streaming on NOW without a contract, and Sky Sports provides live coverage, highlights, and in‑depth analysis across its platforms. Tennis enthusiasts can follow every match, track scores, and enjoy exclusive video content through the Sky Sports app, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action as the quest for the US Open title intensifies.