Elena Rybakina eased past two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the US Open quarter-finals, moving a step closer to becoming world number one for the first time. The Kazakh second seed produced a near-flawless display to win 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium, and would top the rankings if she wins her quarter-final regardless of whether current number one Aryna Sabalenka defends her title.

Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, dropped just four points on serve and hit 29 winners to Osaka's nine in a match completed in 66 minutes, with Osaka revealing afterwards she was struggling with leg pain. She will next face China's Zheng Qinwen, who beat former champion Iga Swiatek after recovering from 5-0 down in the first set. Osaka, whose last major title came at the 2021 Australian Open, said winning another Grand Slam "is not going to change my life."