Full Breakdown
Rybakina Nears World No. 1 After Dominant Win Over Osaka at US Open
9/9/2026, 8:14:49 AM
Rybakina Advances to Quarterfinals
On September 8 in New York, No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina defeated two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round of the 2026 tournament. The win moved Rybakina within one match of the WTA world No. 1 ranking and set up a quarterfinal against Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday.
Background & Context
Rybakina entered the event as the reigning Australian Open champion and a former Wimbledon winner, having added the Australian title to her 2022 Wimbledon crown earlier in the season. Since March she has held a career-high No. 2 ranking and has already recorded 46 tour wins this year, the second-most on the WTA Tour.
Osaka, the 2018 and 2020 US Open champion, reached the fourth round after a three-set victory over Elise Mertens. She entered the match dealing with a flare-up of a left Achilles tendon injury that had limited her serve in the previous round.
Data & Statistics
- Match score: 6-1, 6-4 in favor of Rybakina.
- Rybakina lost only 25 games in the tournament up to this point.
- She fired 29 winners and faced a single break point.
- The contest lasted 66 minutes (AP, Reuters).
- Osaka’s injury was described as an Achilles tendon issue and as a foot/ankle problem.
- Zheng, ranked 121st after elbow surgery, became the first qualifier to reach the women’s quarterfinals since Emma Raducanu in 2021 (AP, Reuters).
Official Statements & Responses
Rybakina said she “wants” the top ranking and that achieving it is “one of my goals.” Zheng described her comeback from a 0-5 deficit as “not lucky” and emphasized a point-by-point focus in her play.
On-the-Ground Reports
Observers noted Osaka’s reduced mobility and a high number of unforced errors, attributing the decline to her lingering Achilles issue. Zheng’s victory over Iga Swiatek featured a dramatic reversal after dropping the first five games, highlighting her resilience and the crowd’s reaction as she collapsed with her face in her hands after sealing the win.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise nature of Osaka’s injury: some cite an Achilles tendon flare-up, while others mention a foot or ankle problem. No official medical statement has been released to confirm the exact diagnosis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Elena Rybakina
- “Of course I want it, I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t wish this, but definitely that’s one of my goals,” — Elena Rybakina
- “I guess to come back 0-5 yesterday is not lucky, that’s all I can say,” — Qinwen Zheng, face olympic champion
- “I just focus on point by point,” — Qinwen Zheng, face olympic champion
