Gauff and Rybakina advance to stacked US Open quarterfinals
Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina secured US Open quarterfinal spots, with Gauff's win ensuring the top six seeds reached the last eight for the first time
Fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated 18-year-old American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to reach the US Open quarterfinals. Gauff's victory ensured the top six seeds have reached the women's last eight for the first time since 1998, further illustrating the strength in depth at the top of the WTA Tour.
Gauff, the 2023 champion, will face French Open winner Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday. The quarterfinal lineup features five Grand Slam winners, including reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Former world number five Daniela Hantuchova, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said the women's field is in a healthy, strong position and that "anyone can take it from here."
Gauff's controlled victory
Jovic, ranked well inside the top 20 and predicted for even greater things, was expected to provide a serious test. The match began with a physical 17-minute opening three games that featured 24 points and exchanged service breaks. Gauff - who could become world number one if she wins the title - then seized control, breaking again for a 3-1 lead and consistently pounding Jovic's defence from the baseline. Gauff won 13 of the final 15 points to take the first set in 33 minutes.
Jovic showed resilience in a competitive second set, fighting off four break points and rediscovering her ability to land explosive winners. Gauff eventually broke for a 3-2 lead and, despite an immediate break back, used her supreme athleticism and quality to wear down her more inexperienced opponent. "Iva is an incredible player and an incredible talent, she plays beyond her years," Gauff said. "I'm looking forward to many more battles out here, I'm sure we will be playing a lot more matches in the future."
Rybakina dominates Osaka
Earlier, second seed Elena Rybakina swept aside two-time champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4. Rybakina will become world number one for the first time if she reaches the semifinals, even if current top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka defends her title.
"Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who won't want this," Rybakina said of the top ranking. She dropped only four points on serve in a near flawless performance against four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who said she was struggling with pain in her leg. Rybakina, who had not dropped a set in her opening three matches, set up a quarter-final against Zheng Qinwen.
Quarterfinal contenders emerge
The strength of the remaining field was further illustrated by Zheng Qinwen's comeback victory. She recovered from 5-0 down in the first set to beat former champion Iga Swiatek. Osaka, reflecting on her six-year gap since her last major title at the 2021 Australian Open, said, "I thought about it, and if I win another Grand Slam, it's not going to change my life."
