Rybakina withdraws injured against Fernandez at Pan Pacific Open

World No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew from her Pan Pacific Open quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez before a point was played. The withdrawal sent Fernandez through to the semi-finals in Osaka, where she was set to play Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the final.

Speaking on court, Rybakina said she had been struggling with a minor injury for a couple of days. She said it was difficult to play at 100 per cent, with a very important tournament also coming up.

Rybakina was due to receive a trophy recognising her year-end world No. 1 ranking at a special presentation during the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, scheduled for 8-15 November.

• Before the scheduled match, Rybakina led Fernandez 4-2 in their head-to-head record and had won their last three meetings, including the Ningbo final 6-2, 6-2.
• Fernandez reached the quarter-finals after beating eighth seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6(8), saving two set points in the second-set tie-break.