Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open with injury

World No 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn injured against Leylah Fernandez in the Pan Pacific Open; watch the WTA and ATP Tours live on Sky Sports, with action from Vienna and Osaka headlining throughout this week

World No 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn injured against Leylah Fernandez in the Pan Pacific Open to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage.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."

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."

"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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