Elena Rybakina dismantled Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 on Monday at the US Open, powering into her first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows with a dominant performance that lasted just over an hour on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The second-seeded Kazakhstani never faced a break point in the match, extending her perfect record through four rounds at the 2026 US Open. Rybakina has now won all eight sets she's played in New York, dropping just 19 games total across her four victories.
The result was a stark reversal from the pair's last meeting less than a month ago in Toronto, where Rybakina needed three sets to defeat Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in her runner-up campaign. This time, there was no drama.
Osaka, the 13th seed and two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020), had been battle-tested coming into the match. She went the distance in her previous two rounds, including a three-set victory over 23rd seed Elise Mertens in Round 3 despite dealing with a lingering Achilles injury.
But against Rybakina's relentless power, Osaka couldn't find the form that carried her to those previous New York titles. The Japanese star, who held the world No. 1 ranking for 25 weeks in 2019, managed just four games in the opening set as Rybakina's aggressive baseline game took control early.
The victory puts Rybakina in prime position to claim the world No. 1 ranking after the tournament. Currently ranked No. 2, she will reach the top spot if she advances to the semifinals, or if current leaders Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, or Coco Gauff fail to win the title.
Rybakina's 2026 season has been marked by consistent excellence. After ending 2025 by winning the WTA Finals with a victory over Sabalenka in the title round, she has captured two titles this year at the Australian Open and in Stuttgart. Her career prize money now stands at $29,818,052, with 13 career singles titles to her name.
The 27-year-old Kazakhstani has compiled a 42-13 record in 2026, and her run to the US Open quarterfinals continues a strong hardcourt season. Standing 6 feet tall, Rybakina's powerful serve and groundstrokes have proven particularly effective on the fast courts at Flushing Meadows.
For Osaka, the loss ends what had been an encouraging return to form at a tournament where she has historically thrived. Beyond her two US Open titles, she has made the hardcourts of New York a showcase for both her tennis and her fashion choices, including this year's homage to basketball legend Allen Iverson.
Rybakina will await the winner of the remaining Round 4 matches as she seeks her first US Open semifinal. With her current form and the mathematical path to No. 1 within reach, the Kazakhstani has positioned herself as one of the clear favorites for the title in the tournament's final week.
