Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarter‑finals of the US Open with a convincing straight‑sets win over Naomi Osaka, keeping her campaign for the world No.1 ranking firmly on track. The Kazakh star, who is currently the tournament's second seed, knows that a berth in the semi‑finals would guarantee her a return to the top of the WTA rankings, and after dismantling the two‑time champion Osaka on the iconic Louis Armstrong courts, she expressed confidence that she can sustain this level and ultimately lift the US Open trophy.
The match lasted just over twenty minutes. Rybakina surged out of the gate, racing to a 6‑1 first set. 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.
"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." Rybakina praised Osaka’s quality, noting, "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 that the ultimate goal remains the world No.1 spot: "I want to be world No 1. I don't know anyone who wouldn't wish for that. It is one of my goals." Looking ahead, the Kazakh said, "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." Her confidence was echoed by Sky Sports tennis analyst Laura Robson, who remarked, "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 Qinwen Zheng, who produced a second dramatic comeback in as many days to reach the quarter‑finals. Zheng stunned former world No.1 Iga Swiatek in a match that will be remembered for its sheer resilience.
After falling behind 0‑5 in the third set against Madison Keys two days earlier, Zheng rallied to save a match point and eventually win that encounter. In her subsequent clash with Swiatek on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Zheng again found herself on the back foot, losing the first five games. Yet she refused to capitulate, winning seven consecutive games to take the opening set 7‑5 and then dominating the second set 6‑3 for a 7‑5, 6‑3 victory.
Swiatek, visibly shaken, left the court in tears as her tournament hopes evaporated. The 2022 champion, who entered the event as a qualifier after a long‑term 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 summed up the drama: "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 day also featured an emotional moment for Anastasia Potapova, whose run in New York ended in tears. The 25‑year‑old Austrian had taken the first set against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, but a twisted knee while chasing a forehand in the third set forced her to retire after a 5‑7, 6‑4, 6‑3 loss.
Potapova’s knee was heavily strapped, and despite her bravery she could not secure another point. Andreeva, a rising Russian talent, expressed sympathy: "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." The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering viewers contract‑free access to matches, highlights, and exclusive video content.
Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London later this September, also covered by Sky Sports.