Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 at the US Open on Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals and moving one win away from the world No. 1 ranking. The second-seeded Rybakina will secure the top spot if she reaches the semifinals, regardless of other results.

Rybakina, who won the Australian Open this year for her second major title, dominated Osaka in just 1 hour, 6 minutes, closing the match with an ace. She now leads the WTA Tour in aces this season. "Of course I want it," Rybakina said about the No. 1 ranking. "I try to do everything I can, fight until the end."

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion with two US Open titles, struggled with her serve and movement, citing a foot issue. "I'm honestly not disappointed now," Osaka said. "Maybe I'm just getting older, but I don't feel sad. I'm happy that I'm taking losses differently."

Next, Rybakina faces Zheng Qinwen, who rallied from a 5-0 deficit to beat Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3. Zheng, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, became the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarterfinals since Emma Raducanu in 2021. Rybakina and Zheng have split their two previous meetings.