Considering there were doubts about Elena Rybakina’s US Open participation this year, it’s extraordinary to see where she is now.
The second seed dominated Naomi Osaka at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday, surrendering just five games in 66 minutes to storm into her first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows – a stage she has now reached at all four majors without losing a set.
What’s more, the 6-1 6-4 victory kept alive her quest for the world No.1 ranking, which she can secure with just one more win.
She’ll play for that opportunity against former world No.4 Zheng Qinwen, who this year in New York has enjoyed a remarkable run of her own beginning in the qualifying rounds.
“Preparation wasn't that great,” conceded Rybakina, who limped out of the Cincinnati quarterfinals with a left ankle injury just nine days before the US Open main draw began. “I was not playing for seven days, and I couldn't do much in the gym movement-wise, so we had to really go day by day.
“It's an amazing progress. I'm really glad how everything worked out. We didn't even know if I'm going to be able to play or not. I have a great team. Also, good doctor on the phone all the time.
“Can't say that all the matches [at this US Open] were amazing, but of course, today one of the best matches I played.”
The world No.2 was exceptional against Osaka, who struggled with her own Achilles issue. Yet even if fully healthy, Osaka may have struggled to contend with Rybakina, whose sometimes-wayward forehand was especially potent.
Rybakina also served like a dream, winning 87 per cent of first-serve points and landing seven aces among 29 winners, all while limiting her unforced errors to just 17.
“The immediate thought that I had in my head when she hit the ace, I was, like, ‘damn, well, I can't really do anything about it’,” said Osaka, who watched a final ace whistle by on match point. “Maybe I could have covered it, but she has a great serve, so she probably would have hit the other way.
“Honestly, I didn't feel like I returned bad today. I think she served her spots really well.”
The result was the latest in what’s been a banner year for Rybakina.
She began it by winning her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and has since built a 46-13 win-loss record.
Having also reached WTA 1000 finals on cement at Indian Wells and Toronto, Rybakina is equal-first for hardcourt wins (33) this season. The woman she’s level with, Jessica Pegula, is the only player to have won more WTA tour-level matches in 2026.
After earlier-than-expected losses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Rybakina has also re-established her mighty Grand Slam momentum, conceding just 25 games en route to the quarterfinals – less than any player remaining besides top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
And finally, she’s flourishing in New York, clearing the fourth-round barrier for the first time in nine visits.
“Now it's getting better and better, because before, I would say US Open, the tournament, I usually don't perform that well,” Rybakina said.
“I would say that I like New York, and it's an amazing city. For me, maybe just for two, three weeks, because after, it might be too much.
“I really love the crowd here. I enjoy playing on the stadiums like this.”
There’s also the incentive of rising to world No.1. She could ensure that by reaching the semifinals, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week streak at the summit.
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She could still get there even if she loses to Zheng in the quarterfinals, but Sabalenka, Pegula and Coco Gauff all remain in contention for world No.1, provided they win the title.
“No.1 ranking is, of course, one of the goals. But I think the main focus for me, for the team, is to win the titles, and then the ranking will follow up,” Rybakina said.
“[Zheng] 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. We played before, so I know that it's going to be very difficult match.
“I will focus on myself, try to serve well. I think today it really helped me a lot.
“If I can serve the same way next match, it's going to be great.”