Rybakina Withdraws From Pan Pacific Open Quarterfinals Due To Injury

Elena Rybakina, who achieved the year-end women's singles number one ranking, has withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals due to an ankle injury ¹²³. This marks another chapter in Rybakina's remarkable journey to the top of the tennis world, which began with her victories at the Ningbo Open and WTA Finals at the end of 2025 ¹.

The Kazakhstani star's path to becoming the world number one included securing the Australian Open title in 2026, where she triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka ¹. Her rise to the pinnacle of the sport culminated in September, following a quarter-final victory at the US Open ¹. Despite these achievements, Rybakina has faced physical challenges along the way, such as an ankle injury during the Cincinnati Open ¹.

Rybakina's withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open comes just before her scheduled match against Leylah Fernandez. However, there is some confusion regarding whether Rybakina had already played and won against Yulia Putintseva in the Pan Pacific Open, with conflicting reports from different sources ¹²³. According to ESPN Tennis and Sky Sports, Rybakina's match against Putintseva did not take place, while BBC Sport reported that she won the match with a score of 6-2, 6-3 ¹²³.

In addition to Rybakina's absence, other notable matches have taken place at the Pan Pacific Open. Kamilla Rakhimova emerged victorious in her quarterfinal match against Maya Joint with a score of 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 ². Meanwhile, Mia Pohankova, an 18-year-old wildcard entrant, advanced to the semifinals with a win over Alycia Parks, scoring 7-6 (3), 6-3 ². These results set the stage for upcoming matches, with Rakhimova facing Fernandez in the semifinals and Pohankova competing against either Alex Eala or Diana Shnaider ².

Harriet Dart also made waves in the Guangzhou Open, reaching the semi-finals after defeating Paula Badosa in three sets ³. This performance marks Dart's first WTA semi-final appearance since the Transylvania Open in 2024 ³.

What we know

• - Elena Rybakina achieved the year-end women's singles number one ranking ¹²³
• - Rybakina won four titles in 2026, including the Australian Open and US Open ¹
• - Rybakina stated securing the number one ranking was an amazing achievement ¹
• - Rybakina's next tournament is the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from November 8-15 ¹
• - Rybakina's journey to world number one began at the end of 2025 with victories in the Ningbo Open and WTA Finals ¹
• - Rybakina won the Australian Open in 2026, defeating Aryna Sabalenka ¹
• - Rybakina became world number one in September after a quarter-final victory at the US Open ¹
• - Rybakina faced challenges due to an ankle injury during the Cincinnati Open ¹
• - Rybakina secured the No. 1 ranking at the end of the year with her previous match victory over Yulia Putintseva ²
• - Kamilla Rakhimova won her quarterfinal match against Maya Joint with a score of 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 ²
• - Mia Pohankova won her quarterfinal match against Alycia Parks with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-3 ²
• - Mia Pohankova is 18 years old and received a wild card entry into the tournament ²
• - Diana Shnaider, the No. 3 seed, was set to face No. 8 Alex Eala in a quarterfinal match ²
• - Rakhimova will play against Fernandez in the semifinals ²
• - Pohankova will compete against either Eala or Shnaider in the semifinals ²
• - Harriet Dart reached the semi-finals of the Guangzhou Open ³
• - Harriet Dart defeated Paula Badosa in three sets to advance to the semi-finals ³
• - Harriet Dart's last WTA semi-final appearance was at the Transylvania Open in 2024 ³

What remains unclear

• - Whether Rybakina had already played and won against Yulia Putintseva in the Pan Pacific Open ¹²³
• - Whether Rybakina will face Leylah Fernandez in the Tokyo quarter-finals ¹²³