Rybakina Locks In Year-End World Number One Spot
The Kazakh star’s second-round win in Tokyo secures the top ranking ahead of the WTA Finals in California.
By Yara Nasser ·
Elena Rybakina secured the year-end world number one ranking on Thursday after defeating Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The victory was the final point she needed to prevent Aryna Sabalenka from overtaking her position on the WTA tour.
Rybakina, 27, had already claimed her fourth title of the season at the Ningbo Open in China the previous week. That tournament marked her first victory as the top-ranked player. She rose to the number one spot for the first time during her US Open run last month.
Her path to the current standing included a brief setback following her US Open triumph. She lost her opening match in Beijing and missed the Wuhan Open due to a leg injury before winning in Ningbo. She now holds three Grand Slam titles, having also won Wimbledon four years ago and the Australian Open this year.
Rybakina received a bye into the last 16 at the Tokyo event. She now faces Leylah Fernandez in a rematch of their Ningbo final. Fernandez advanced to this round by beating Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6(8).
The season ends with the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California. The top eight players will compete there from November 8 to 15. Rybakina is currently targeting her 16th career title before that final tournament.
