Rybakina sweeps past Osaka to close in on number one ranking

Elena Rybakina swept aside two-time champion Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open and close in on becoming world number one.

The Kazakh second seed overpowered 13th seed Osaka to win 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium to set up a quarter-final against China's Zheng Qinwen.

Rybakina will become world number one for the first time if she wins her last-eight tie in New York - even if top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka goes on to defend her title.

Reigning Olympic champion Zheng came from 5-0 down in the first set of her fourth-round match to beat former champion Iga Swiatek.

"Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who won't want this," Rybakina said of the number one ranking.

"I tried to approach it the same way and do everything I can, and fight to the end of my next match.

"If I serve as well as I did today, I think I can do well. Let's hope it goes my way."

Rybakina, 27, dropped only four points in a near flawless performance on serve against four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who said after the match she was struggling with pain in her leg.