Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina withdrew from her Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday due to persistent back problems, a day after securing her spot in the prestigious WTA Finals. The 26-year-old 2022 Wimbledon champion was scheduled to face Czech rising star Linda Noskova, who will now advance to meet Belinda Bencic in Sunday’s final in Tokyo.

Rybakina Cites Injury Concerns

In a statement, Rybakina expressed her disappointment at missing the semi-final:

“I’m very sorry I can’t play today. 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.”

Her decision comes after a hard-fought victory over Victoria Mboko on Friday, which secured the last spot for next month’s WTA Finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the season. Rybakina needed to reach at least the semi-finals in Tokyo to overtake Russian 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva for the final qualifying position.

Rybakina’s Rising Rankings

Despite withdrawing, Rybakina’s ranking will climb to world number six when the WTA updates its standings on Monday, reflecting her recent strong performances. This includes her recent triumph at the Ningbo Open in China, where she showcased consistent form leading into the Tokyo tournament.

Challenges in the Women’s Tour

Rybakina is not alone in facing injury-related setbacks this season. Several top players have ended their campaigns prematurely, highlighting the grueling nature of the WTA calendar. Former world number one Iga Swiatek recently commented that the season has become “too long and too intense,” amid multiple injuries at events such as the China Open.

Belinda Bencic Advances to the Final

With Rybakina out, Belinda Bencic overcame American Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-2 to book her place in the final in Tokyo, the same city where she won Olympic gold in 2021. The Swiss player displayed a strong serve in the opening set, narrowly winning a tense tie-break. Kenin rebounded in the second set, but Bencic dominated the deciding set, capitalizing on errors from her opponent.

“I think it was a very difficult match,” Bencic said. “I’m really exhausted at this point. I tried to shorten the points, take more risks and tried to go for it. Thankfully today it went my way.”

Bencic will aim to claim her second WTA title of the season, while Noskova—runner-up to Amanda Anisimova in the China Open earlier this month—looks for her second career WTA crown.

Looking Ahead

Rybakina’s withdrawal is a setback for the tournament but underscores the physical demands of the women’s tour. With the WTA Finals approaching, she will have time to recover and prepare for one of the most competitive events of the year, where the top eight players will compete for ranking points and season-ending glory.