Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to close in on number one ranking

Elena Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the US Open quarter-finals and move closer to becoming the world's top-ranked player. The Kazakh player, seeded second, dominated the match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, dropping just four points in a flawless performance on serve. Rybakina broke Osaka's serve multiple times and sealed the set in just 21 minutes.

Osaka, who had not dropped a set in her first three matches, showed some resistance in the second set but was unable to overcome Rybakina's deep groundstrokes. The Kazakh player will face China's Zheng Qinwen in the next round, potentially becoming the world number one if she wins that match, even if current world number one Aryna Sabalenka goes on to defend her title.

Rybakina expressed her desire to achieve the number one ranking, stating that it would motivate her to give her best in the upcoming match.