Second seed Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium to reach her first-ever US Open quarterfinal. Read the full match report.
Elena Rybakina Powers Past Naomi Osaka to Reach First US Open Quarterfinal
Second seed Elena Rybakina delivered an absolute masterclass at the 2026 US Open on Monday. Playing at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Kazakhstani star defeated two-time champion Naomi Osaka in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. With this commanding victory, Rybakina advanced to her very first US Open quarterfinal and moved just one win away from securing the world number one ranking.
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A Dominant Opening Set
The highly anticipated fourth-round clash between two of the game’s most powerful ball-strikers began with incredible intensity. However, it was Rybakina who quickly took complete control of the match. The Wimbledon champion made a blistering start, showcasing her massive serve and pinpoint baseline groundstrokes. She wrapped up the opening set in a stunning 22 minutes.
Rybakina consistently kept the ball deep, entirely neutralizing Osaka’s aggressive game plan. The second seed successfully converted two break-point opportunities and closed the first set 6-1 with a powerful ace. Osaka, despite enjoying strong vocal support from the New York crowd, struggled significantly to find any consistent rhythm against her opponent’s flawless execution. Rybakina later admitted she was pleasantly surprised by her own outstanding level of play during the opening exchanges.
Osaka Fights Back in the Second Set
Entering the second set, Osaka displayed far greater determination and resilience. The Japanese superstar managed to hold her ground on serve, keeping the scoreline much tighter. The 13th seed fought hard to protect her service games, relying on her championship experience.
At 2-2, Osaka appeared slightly troubled by a lingering leg issue that she had dealt with in her previous match. Despite the physical discomfort, she bravely saved a crucial break point to keep the set perfectly balanced. However, Rybakina relentlessly applied constant pressure from the baseline. The decisive moment finally arrived in the seventh game. Osaka unfortunately sent a forehand into the net, handing Rybakina the vital break of serve she desperately needed.
Advancing to the Quarterfinals
Having secured the crucial advantage, Rybakina confidently served out the remainder of the contest. She finished the match with an impressive 29 winners and seven aces, completing the victory in just 66 minutes. Rybakina now proudly completes her set of reaching the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments. She will now carefully prepare for a massive quarterfinal showdown against Zheng Qinwen at Flushing Meadows.