Rybakina thumps Osaka to reach U.S. Open quarters

NEW YORK – Elena Rybakina cleared another big hurdle in her bid to win a third Grand Slam title by outclassing former U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. The flawless victory for Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and this year’s Australian Open, booked a last-eight clash with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and left the Kazakh one match win away from becoming world number one for the first time.

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t wish for it. It’s definitely one of my goals,” Rybakina said shortly after reaching her maiden quarterfinals in New York.