Elena Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open semifinals due to back problem

Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open semi-finals on Saturday citing back problems, a day after she had booked a spot at the end-of-season WTA Finals.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion was due to face Czech Linda Noskova, who will now face either Sofia Kenin or Belinda Bencic in Sunday’s final in Tokyo.

“I’m sorry I can’t play today,” Rybakina, 26, said in a statement.

“I’ve had back issues this week and haven’t been able to perform at 100 percent. I’m disappointed my fans can’t see me today but I hope to see you next year.”

The Kazakh beat Victoria Mboko on Friday to book the final spot in next month’s WTA Finals, which brings together the year’s top eight singles and doubles players.

She needs to reach at least the semifinals in Tokyo to overtake Russian 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva for the eighth and final spot.

Rybakina, who won the Ningbo Open in China last week, will rise to sixth in the world after the rankings are updated on Monday.