Elena Rybakina might be closing in on the World No. 1 ranking at the US Open. But before that, she added another milestone to her resume.
The No. 2 seed defeated two-time champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 inside Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday, reaching the US Open quarterfinals for the first time and completing the set of quarterfinal appearances at all four Grand Slams.
Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, can take over the top spot in the PIF WTA Rankings after the US Open with a win over Zheng Qinwen in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. She has been equally sharp through four rounds, dropping only 25 games — the second fewest among the quarterfinalists, behind Aryna Sabalenka.
That level was particularly striking after Rybakina needed three sets to get past Osaka less than a month ago in Toronto. This time, she hit 29 winners and seven aces while committing just 17 unforced errors — a performance that surprised even her.
“I honestly didn’t expect it,” she said in her on-court interview.
“I played really well today. [I was] feeling the ball was really good from my side. A bit lucky in some moments. I caught some lines. … Naomi is a tough opponent. I knew no matter the score I needed to focus on each ball. She’s also an aggressive player. I’m very glad with the way I played today.”
While Rybakina confessed in her post-match press conference that her and her team’s “main focus … is to win the titles,” she was similarly declarative in her desire to reach the summit.
“Of course, I want it. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t wish this,” she said. “But definitely that’s one of my goals. I try to approach the same way. Try to do everything I can. Fight until the end [of] my next match, and let’s see what’s gonna happen.”
Rybakina has won four of her five career meetings with Zheng, including two three-set efforts earlier this year. But with the 2024 Olympic gold medalist surging into form in New York behind seven wins and counting, Rybakina knows full well that Zheng is a player of far greater caliber than her current ranking might suggest.
“She definitely found her form, and I feel like she’s playing now with a lot of confidence after so many wins in a row, so she’s very dangerous,” she said.
“We played before, so I know that it’s going to be very difficult match. Of course, I will focus on myself, try to serve well. I think today it really helped me a lot. If I can serve the same way next match, it’s going to be great.”