Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open semi-final in Tokyo due to an ongoing back injury. Her decision came less than 24 hours after she booked her place at the WTA Finals. The Wimbledon 2022 champion’s withdrawal cleared the path for Linda Noskova, who will now play either Sofia Kenin or Belinda Bencic in Sunday’s title clash.
“I’m very sorry I can’t play today,” Rybakina said in her statement.
“I have been having problems with my back this week and can’t play 100%. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year.”
Injury Impact Ahead of WTA Finals
Rybakina earned her qualification for the WTA Finals after defeating Canada’s Victoria Mboko in the quarter-final on Friday. That victory secured her the final eighth spot in the race, edging past rising Russian talent Mirra Andreeva. She also won the Ningbo Open last week, which boosted her ranking and confidence leading up to the Tokyo event.
The 26-year-old’s back problem, however, forced a tactical decision. With the WTA Finals scheduled to begin on November 1 in Riyadh, the Kazakh star opted to prioritize recovery over pushing through the semi-final.
Noskova Advances to Tokyo Final
Noskova advances to the Pan Pacific Open final via walkover. She will face either Kenin or Bencic in the championship match. This marks the Czech’s biggest final at a WTA 500 event, giving her a golden opportunity to claim a significant career title.
Rybakina will rise to world number six in the next WTA rankings update. This will be her third consecutive WTA Finals appearance, underlining her consistency on the tour. While the withdrawal raised some concerns, most observers see it as a strategic step to ensure full fitness for the season finale.
Fans and analysts will watch closely whether her back issue eases in time for Riyadh. Rybakina remains one of the top contenders for the year-end trophy.
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