Rybakina Reaches US Open Fourth Round and Moves Closer to No. 1

Elena Rybakina settled an old score with Yuliia Starodubtseva on Saturday, defeating the unseeded Ukrainian 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 to reach the US Open last 16.

The world number two had lost to Starodubtseva in the second round at Roland Garros. She again struggled to find her rhythm early, particularly on the forehand, and Starodubtseva broke for a 5-4 lead.

Rybakina responded with an angled drop shot to break back and level the opening set. She then saved a set point in the tiebreak with one of her 12 aces. With the set secured, she attacked more confidently in the second.

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It was a tough match. I feel like it wasn't my best performance, but Yuliia she's a great player. Last time we had a battle, too, and I'm glad I could win in straight sets.

A double fault by Starodubtseva gave Rybakina the break at the start of the second set. She protected the advantage and finished the match in just under two hours.

“It was a tough match,” Rybakina said. “I feel like it wasn't my best performance, but Yuliia she's a great player. Last time we had a battle, too, and I'm glad I could win in straight sets.”

Rybakina now needs two victories, including a semifinal appearance, to guarantee replacing Aryna Sabalenka as world number one, even if Sabalenka wins a third consecutive US Open title. “Not there yet,” Rybakina said. “It's still very far. I need to focus on my next match and not think about it.” She will next play four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

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Not there yet. It's still very far. I need to focus on my next match and not think about it.