US Open: Elena Rybakina dispatches Naomi Osaka in straight sets after dominant start

Naomi Osaka’s US Open run has come to an early close, with the No. 13 seed falling to No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a dominant straight sets win, 6-1, 6-4. Rybakina outplayed Osaka in nearly every category to advance to the next round.

Though Osaka, as always, had the crowd on her side, Rybakina took the first set with ease. The Kazakhstani player served well, placing her shots just out of Osaka’s reach. Her final point of the set came on an ace, speeding to victory in less than 25 minutes.

Osaka was able to level up in the second set, specifically in her service games, but Rybakina finally broke her in the seventh game to take the lead. Osaka, who was wearing athletic tape on her left ankle, did appear to tweak the potential injury during the match, but continued play.

With Rybakina a point away from the match, Osaka broke up two of Rybakina’s match points and battled back to deuce, before eventually using her serve to keep the game alive.

But on the next game, Rybakina moved through without conceding a point to Osaka, ending the set on another ace. Osaka could only applaud after Rybakina’s match point.

Rybakina ended the game with seven aces in all, conceding just one double fault. She earned 29 winners, compared to Osaka’s nine. In all, the No. 2 was just the better player across the court.

Osaka, a two-time US Open winner, has spent the past couple of years finally returning to full form. She made the semifinals last year, but will have to settle for a loss in the Round of 16, thanks in part to a tough draw that had her meet Rybakina early.

Rybakina, meanwhile, is chasing the coveted World No. 1 ranking on the women’s side, only needing one more win to make it happen. The quarterfinals appearance will also marked the furthest that Rybakina has made it in the US Open across her career.

In the next round, Rybakina will face unseeded Zheng Qinwen, who stunned No. 8 Iga Świątek in straight sets earlier in the day after an incredible comeback.