Kazakhstan's top women's tennis player, Elena Rybakina, has moved to the brink of the world No.1 ranking, according to infohub.kz.
Rybakina defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the first time in her career. In the next round, she will face China's Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion from the 2024 Paris Games.
If Rybakina wins her quarterfinal match, she will guarantee herself the top spot in the WTA rankings, regardless of other results. The official ranking update will take place after the US Open concludes.
"Of course I want it. I don't know anyone who wouldn't want it. It's definitely one of my goals. But I try to take it step by step and do everything I can, fighting to the end in every match. We'll see what happens. If I serve as well as I did today, I think I have every chance. I'll give it my all. Hopefully it will work in my favor," Rybakina said after beating Osaka, commenting on the chance to become world No.1.
Following the season's final Grand Slam, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka could retain the top ranking. As the defending champion, she is defending the maximum 2,000 ranking points. Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff also remain contenders for the world No.1 spot.