Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina, ranked second in the world, has commented on the possibility of topping the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. After reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open 2026, she needs just one more win to guarantee displacing Aryna Sabalenka from the top spot, reports infohub.kz.
In the fourth round, Rybakina defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka (13) 6:1, 6:4 in just 66 minutes. The Kazakh will now face 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (121) of China. If Rybakina wins, she will advance to the semifinals and become the world No. 1 regardless of Sabalenka's further results in the tournament.
After the match against Osaka, Rybakina was asked whether she thinks about the possibility of rising to the top of the rankings.
"Of course, I want that. 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 in my power, 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, everything goes my way," Rybakina was quoted as saying by the US Open press service.
At the same time, the Kazakh player stressed that she does not intend to change her approach to the next match due to the added pressure. According to her, the main thing is to focus on her own game and fight to the end.
Just a few weeks ago, Rybakina's participation in the US Open 2026 was in doubt. After an ankle injury at the Cincinnati tournament, she could not train fully, and her team was unsure until the last moment whether she would be able to take the court in New York. Nevertheless, Rybakina has reached the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
Rybakina's next opponent will be Zheng Qinwen, who in the fourth round staged a comeback from 0:5 in the first set to defeat Iga Swiatek (8) 7:5, 6:3. Rybakina leads the head-to-head against the Chinese player 4:1.
Sabalenka is also still in contention at the US Open. In the quarterfinals, the world No. 1 will face Linda Noskova (6). However, her own results will no longer allow her to retain the top spot if Rybakina beats Zheng and reaches the semifinals. Earlier, the Belarusian said she tries not to follow the rankings and focuses on her matches.