Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng earned a high-stakes US Open quarterfinal after two sharply different but equally emphatic Monday wins. Rybakina overpowered Naomi Osaka in straight sets, while Zheng erased another 0-5 deficit to eliminate Iga Swiatek.
5
6
12
Rybakina defeats Osaka in 66 minutes
The No. 2 seed defeated two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. Rybakina completed the match in 66 minutes, hitting 29 winners and seven aces.
5
9
16
Rybakina saved the only break point she faced. Osaka, who saved two match points while serving at 3-5 in the second set, was reported to be dealing with a left Achilles issue that affected her serve and was followed by a run of unforced errors.
12
15
The result continued a commanding tournament for the reigning Australian Open champion, who had not dropped a set through the fourth round.
8
What Rybakina needs to become world No. 1
Rybakina’s quarterfinal against Zheng has immediate ranking consequences. Reaching the semifinals guarantees that she will replace Aryna Sabalenka as WTA world No. 1, regardless of any other result at the tournament.
6
There was also a separate scenario in which Rybakina could secure the ranking without reaching the semifinals: none of Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula could win the US Open title.
Zheng overturns 0-5 deficit to beat Swiatek
Qualifier Zheng defeated No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 after trailing 5-0 in the first set. She responded by winning seven consecutive games to take the set, then closed out the match in straight sets.
12
It was Zheng’s second consecutive match in which she won a set after falling behind 0-5. In the previous round, she recovered from 0-5 in the deciding set against Madison Keys.
The comeback was especially notable because Swiatek had been 7-1 against Zheng entering the match. Zheng’s prior win in that head-to-head came in the Olympic semifinals in Paris.
Why the Rybakina-Zheng quarterfinal matters
The matchup pairs Rybakina’s chance to secure the No. 1 ranking with Zheng’s improbable qualifying run and proven resilience in New York. Rybakina arrives after one of the most efficient performances of the tournament; Zheng arrives having turned two seemingly lost sets into wins in consecutive matches.
6
12
For Rybakina, a win means the semifinals and the top ranking. For Zheng, it is an opportunity to extend a run already defined by comebacks against elite opposition.
6