Elena Rybakina stormed into the quarter‑finals of the US Open with a commanding straight‑sets win over Naomi Osaka, keeping her bid for the world No.1 ranking firmly on track. The Kazakh star, seeded second, knows that a place in the semi‑finals would automatically restore her to the top of the WTA ladder, and after dismantling the two‑time champion on the famed Louis Armstrong court she feels more confident than ever that the title could be within her grasp.
The match lasted just over twenty minutes. Rybakina seized the first set 6‑1, delivering a barrage of powerful serves and precise groundstrokes that left Osaka scrambling for answers. In the second set she secured a crucial break midway through the set, blunting Osaka’s brief resurgence and sealing the contest 6‑4. After the win, the former Wimbledon champion praised her own performance, noting, "I was feeling the ball was really good from my side.
I was a bit lucky in some moments, found some lines, but super happy with the performance." She added, "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." Rybakina’s ambition was crystal clear: "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 the performance: "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." Rybakina’s next opponent will be China’s Qinwen Zheng, who has already produced a dramatic comeback story of her own.
Zheng, a qualifier, stunned former world No.1 Iga Swiatek in a match that will be remembered for its resilience and tenacity. After saving a match point and trailing 5‑0 in the third set against Madison Keys just two days earlier, Zheng turned the tide again on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Swiatek started the quarter‑final strongly, taking the first five games. Yet Zheng refused to capitulate.
She rallied to win the next seven games, taking the opening set 7‑5, and then continued her surge to close the match 6‑3, completing a remarkable 7‑5, 6‑3 victory. The Polish champion was left visibly shaken, exiting the court in tears as her campaign unraveled in an unexpected fashion. Zheng’s run is historic.
The 2022 champion became the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarter‑finals since Emma Raducanu’s fairy‑tale triumph in 2021. Reflecting on her performance, Zheng said, "I started the match not so well but I found my rhythm. 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 significance 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 [Monday], 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 a dramatic exit for Anastasia Potapova, who was forced to retire after twisting her knee while chasing a forehand in the third set against Mirra Andreeva.
Potapova had taken the first set but fell behind 5‑3 in the decider before the injury forced her out. Andreeva, the French Open champion, advanced with a 5‑7, 6‑4, 6‑3 win and expressed sympathy for her opponent: "Anastasia is a good friend, and seeing what a battle we have and then seeing her fall is not easy.
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 stakes continue to rise. Rybakina’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, combined with Zheng’s indomitable spirit, set up a tantalising quarter‑final clash that could determine who will ultimately lift the trophy in New York.
Fans can follow every rally, result and highlight through the Sky Sports app or stream the action contract‑free on NOW. The tournament, which began on August 30, promises more drama, upsets and unforgettable moments as the world’s best compete for one of tennis’s most coveted titles.