World No. 1 Elena Rybakina was forced out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday, 30 October, withdrawing from the WTA 500 tournament due to a neck injury — handing Canada's Leylah Fernandez a walkover berth into the semifinals. The exit casts a shadow over what had been a landmark week for the Kazakh star, who clinched the year-end World No. 1 ranking just 24 hours earlier.

Rybakina's Statement and the Nature of the Injury

Rybakina cited inflammation and persistent pain in her neck as the reason for pulling out, saying the condition had materially hampered her ability to compete at full capacity. In a statement released on Friday, she said: 'I'm very sorry to announce that I've had to withdraw from my next match. Unfortunately, I've been experiencing inflammation and pain in my neck, which has been affecting my ability to play at my best. It's a very difficult decision, as I love playing here and always appreciate the incredible support from the fans. I hope to be back again next year. Thank you all for your understanding and support.' No timeline for her return to action was given.

Fernandez's Path to the Semifinal

Leylah Fernandez now advances to the last four, where she will face Russian lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova. Rakhimova earned her semifinal place with a hard-fought 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 win over Australian qualifier Maya Joint in a three-set encounter. A place in the Pan Pacific Open final is at stake in that clash.

A Landmark Week Cut Short

The withdrawal came just a day after Rybakina secured a career-defining milestone. On Thursday, she defeated compatriot Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 in just 70 minutes, a result that confirmed her as the year-end World No. 1 for the first time in her career. Her serving display was particularly commanding — she won 75% of first-serve points and 57% of points behind her second serve, struck six aces, and did not concede her serve once, saving the only break point she faced in the final game.

Rybakina's Rise to the Summit in 2026

The 2026 US Open champion — her third Grand Slam title — had been on an upward trajectory across multiple seasons. She finished the 2023 and 2024 seasons ranked No. 3 before slipping to No. 5 at the close of 2025. Her US Open triumph in 2026 proved the catalyst for her rise to world No. 1, completing a career arc that now places her among the sport's elite. Notably, this is the first time she ends a season at the top of the WTA rankings.

What Happens Next

With Rybakina sidelined, attention turns to whether the injury will affect her participation in any remaining events on the 2026 WTA calendar. Meanwhile, the Pan Pacific Open semifinals will proceed with Fernandez and Rakhimova meeting for a spot in the final, as the tournament's draw opens up in the absence of the top seed.