Pan Pacific Open: Elena Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open with injury just one day after securing year-end No 1 ranking
World No 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn injured against Leylah Fernandez in the Pan Pacific Open to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
The Kazakh player withdrew from the match before a point was played, giving the Canadian Fernandez safe passage into the last four in Osaka, where she will play Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the final.
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won't be able to play," the 27-year-old said on-court.
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"I've been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury.
"It's difficult for me to come and play at 100 per cent since there is also a very important tournament coming up."
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Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals and will stay the world No 1 at the conclusion of a year in which she won two Grand Slams - the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.
Having won Wimbledon in 2022, Rybakina - a 27-year-old born in Russia but representing Kazakhstan - is only a French Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam.
She described her year-end status as "an incredibly special moment for me."
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"I'm really proud of what I've achieved this season and the consistency I've shown throughout the year," said Rybakina, who also won titles in Stuttgart and Ningbo and rose to No. 1 in the world for the first time by winning the U.S. Open.
Rybakina will be honored with a trophy to mark the achievement during a special presentation at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from Nov. 8-15.
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- October, 29
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30 of October 2026
