Kazakhstani tennis player Elena Rybakina confidently defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka 6:1, 6:4 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open. She is just one step away from the historic achievement of becoming the world No. 1 in New York. Meanwhile, Alexander Bublik, alongside Chinese player Shang Juncheng, withdrew from the doubles competition, reports infohub.kz.
Rybakina wrapped up the first set against Osaka in just 21 minutes. The Kazakh player overwhelmed her opponent with the power of her serves and groundstrokes. Breaks in the fourth and sixth games confirmed Elena's complete dominance – 6:1.
The second set was more competitive. Up to 3:3, both players held serve confidently. However, in the seventh game, the Kazakhstani secured a decisive break. The rest was a formality. A confident victory for Elena the Beautiful – 6:1, 6:4 in 66 minutes. The ace count was 6:2. Double faults – 1:5. Total points won – 60:41.
In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face China's Zheng Qinwen (ranked 121), who sensationally eliminated Poland's Iga Swiatek (8) in the fourth round – 7:5, 6:3. In head-to-head meetings with the 2024 Paris Olympic champion, Elena leads 4:1. Should she secure a fifth victory in this rivalry, the Kazakh player, regardless of other results at the 2026 US Open, will top the WTA rankings for the first time in history.
No Kazakh representatives remain in the doubles draw. Last night in New York, the pair of Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic ended their campaign due to a knee injury suffered by the Serbian player. Today, Alexander Bublik, alongside Chinese player Shang Juncheng, also withdrew from the tournament. Earlier, Bublik had lost in singles. Our junior Damir Zhalgasbay continues his campaign in New York, also in doubles (with American Safir Azam).
The US Open is an annual Grand Slam tennis tournament played on hard courts. It is the last of the four majors in the calendar year. The total prize money of $108 million is a record for the majors. Since 1978, matches have been held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
The defending men's champion is Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (3), who defeated Jannik Sinner in last year's final. The Italian, the world No. 1, withdrew from the 2026 US Open due to a knee injury. Alcaraz, after defeating Tommy Paul (21) of the USA – the player who had previously beaten Bublik – 6:4, 6:3, 6:4, advanced to the quarterfinals of this year's tournament.
In women's singles, the 2025 champion was Aryna Sabalenka (1). In the final, she defeated Amanda Anisimova of the USA. The Belarusian has also already reached the 2026 quarterfinals, having beaten American Taylor Townsend (96) – 6:4, 6:3.