Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from her semi-final match in Tokyo after booking her place at the WTA Finals.
The Kazakh defeated Victoria Mboko 6-3 7-6(4) to seal her place in the WTA Finals in Riyadh at Mirra Andreeva’s expense.
It was a fantastic victory for Rybakina who is enjoying a late season surge and will now end the season at the year-end finale in Saudi Arabia.
That means that it shouldn’t be too unexpected to see Rybakina withdraw from her semi-final contest with Linda Noskova.
In a statement Rybakina cited a back injury for the withdrawal, “I’m very sorry I can’t play today,” Rybakina was quoted by the BBC website in saying in a statement.
“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.”
Rybakina will now look to recover in time for the WTA Finals as she joins Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Jasmine Paolini and Madison Keys in Saudi Arabia.
The WTA Finals will begin on Wednesday 1st November.
Meanwhile, Noskova will face Belinda Bencic in the Tokyo final after she defeated Sofia Kenin in three sets.
AloJapan.com