RYBAKINA WITHDRAWS FROM PAN PACIFIC OPEN

Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday, giving Leylah Fernandez a walkover into the semi-finals. Rybakina said inflammation and pain in her neck had affected her ability to play at her best. “I’m very sorry to announce that I’ve had to withdraw from my next match,” she said in a statement. She said she hoped to return to the tournament next year. The WTA listed Rybakina as world No. 1 at the time of her withdrawal.

On Thursday, Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 in 70 minutes to secure the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career, according to the WTA. Match figures credited her with six aces and no lost service games against Putintseva. The WTA said Rybakina had won two Grand Slam titles during the 2026 season. Her US Open victory was her third Grand Slam title overall. The rankings cited for earlier seasons placed her at No. 3 in 2023 and 2024, and No. 5 in 2025.

Fernandez will face Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the final. Rakhimova, a lucky loser, beat Australian qualifier Maya Joint 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 to reach the last four. Rakhimova recovered from 5-2 down to take the opening set before Joint won the second. Rakhimova took the deciding set 6-1. The WTA said the result gave Rakhimova her first semi-final at WTA 500 level.