Elena Rybakina is one victory away from becoming the new world No.1 after powering past Naomi Osaka to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time.
The second seed produced a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over the four-time major champion in New York, sealing the match with her seventh ace after just 66 minutes.
Rybakina struck 29 winners to Osaka’s nine and faced only one break point as she repeatedly overwhelmed the Japanese former world No.1 with her pace and power.
“Of course, I want it,” Rybakina said of the prospect of taking the top ranking. “I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t wish this. It’s definitely one of my goals.”
The Kazakh, who was born in Russia, had been under an injury cloud before the tournament after retiring from her previous event with problems affecting her left ankle and heel tendon. She has nevertheless advanced to the last eight without dropping a set.
Rybakina will face Qinwen Zheng, who produced another remarkable comeback to defeat eighth seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3.
Rybakina’s route to the world No.1 ranking
Zheng, the 2024 Olympic champion, recovered from 0-5 down in the opening set against Swiatek before winning seven consecutive games to take control. She had also overturned the same deficit in the deciding set of her previous match against Madison Keys.
The Chinese player has been forced to rebuild her ranking after an elbow injury required surgery. Having slipped to 121st in the world, she came through qualifying in New York and has now become the first qualifier to reach the US Open women’s singles quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu won the title in 2021.
Rybakina has won four of her five previous meetings with Zheng, including both of their encounters this season. Victory in their quarter-final would guarantee her place in the semi-finals and secure the world No.1 ranking, regardless of what happens elsewhere in the draw.
Rybakina began the tournament as one of four players still capable of finishing at the summit, alongside reigning No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. Only Rybakina had a direct route to controlling her own fate.
Sabalenka is defending the US Open title and has held the top ranking for 99 consecutive weeks. However, the Belarusian must win the tournament and hope Rybakina is beaten before the semi-finals if she is to remain No.1.
Sabalenka’s best result this season has been a runner-up finish to Rybakina at the Australian Open. She has progressed beyond the quarter-finals only once since and has faced continued questions over her form.
“Right now, I’m world No.1,” Sabalenka said after her Wimbledon defeat by Osaka. “Level-wise, today I wasn’t world No.1. Yesterday, I was world No.1.”
Rybakina’s victory means the battle for the top ranking will now be decided against Zheng, while Sabalenka continues her bid for a third consecutive US Open crown.
