Top Six Seeds Reach US Open Women Quarter-Finals

The top six women’s seeds have all reached the US Open quarter-finals for the first time since 1998 after fourth seed Coco Gauff and second seed Elena Rybakina secured straight-set fourth-round victories at Flushing Meadows on Monday. The victories complete a quarter-final lineup featuring five Grand Slam champions and the reigning Olympic champion.

Gauff Overcomes Jovic in Straight Sets

Defending 2023 champion Coco Gauff reached the last eight in New York by defeating 18-year-old fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1 6-4. The 22-year-old fourth seed drew on her Grand Slam experience after a grueling opening period where the first three games took 17 minutes and required 24 points. After breaking for a 3-1 lead, Gauff took control from the baseline, winning 13 of the final 15 points to claim the opening set in 33 minutes.

Jovic, the 14th seed who entered the match following a three-hour fourth-round win over Alexandra Eala, fought back in the second set. The teenager saved four break points before Gauff converted a fifth to go up 3-2. Although Jovic broke back immediately, Gauff responded to break serve again and close out the victory. Following the match, Gauff called her opponent “an incredible player and an incredible talent” and added, “I’m looking forward to many more battles out here.” Gauff will face French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Rybakina Dominates Osaka on Armstrong

Earlier on Monday, second seed Elena Rybakina needed just 66 minutes to defeat 13th seed and two-time US Open winner Naomi Osaka 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, dominated the opening set in 21 minutes after earning a double break. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan finished the match with 29 winners and seven aces, while dropping only four points on her serve throughout the contest.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner who was struggling with leg pain, managed to produce greater resistance in the second set but was unable to convert her only break point opportunity. Rybakina broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set before serving out the match. Reflecting on her career trajectory after the defeat, Osaka remarked, “if I win another Grand Slam, it’s not going to change my life.”

World Number One Ranking and Quarter-Final Lineup

The tournament results have major implications for the WTA world number one ranking, currently held by Aryna Sabalenka. Rybakina will ascend to the top ranking for the first time in her career if she wins her upcoming quarter-final to reach the semi-finals. Gauff also retains a mathematical chance at the top spot, which she would secure if she wins the US Open title and Rybakina loses in the quarter-finals. Speaking about the top ranking, Rybakina noted, “Of course I want it, I don’t know anyone who won’t want this.”

Rybakina will face China’s Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals. Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion, booked her place in the last eight by recovering from a 5-0 deficit in the opening set to defeat former US Open champion Iga Swiatek. With top seeds progressing throughout the draw, former world number five Daniela Hantuchova remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live that “The women’s field is in such a healthy, strong position” and noted that any of the remaining players could win the title.

Background

The 2026 US Open women’s singles tournament features one of the most competitive quarter-final fields in recent major tennis history. With all top six seeds progressing to the final eight for the first time in 28 years, the tournament highlights deep consistency among the WTA Tour’s elite. Five players in the quarter-finals have previously won Grand Slam singles titles, while the remaining field includes reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and rising top-seeded contenders.