Elena Rybakina clinches year-end top ranking with Tokyo second-round win

TOKYO – World No. 1 Elena Rybakina hailed her “amazing achievement” after securing the year-end top ranking for the first time with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in Japan on Oct 29.

The 27-year-old became world No. 1 for the first time en route to winning the US Open in September, replacing Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the summit.

Rybakina ensured she will also start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match in Tokyo. After swatting aside world No. 67 Putintseva at the Pan Pacific Open, she ensured that she will not be overtaken by second-ranked Sabalenka in the world rankings this season.

The achievement capped a year in which she also won the Australian Open in January.

“It means a lot, this is something we worked for with the team,” said the three-time Major winner.

“So many great players and we are all really close to each other, and I’m happy that now with last week and with today’s win, I made it possible to secure No. 1 at the end of the year.

“It’s an amazing achievement and hopefully we can continue this way next year.”

Moscow-born Rybakina has already secured her place at the season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells from Nov 8-15.

She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season at last week’s Ningbo Open in China.

“Today the serve definitely helped me in the important moments,” she said, after sending down six aces against Putintseva and saving the only break point she faced.

“I was just trying to pick my spot and I think today with a closed roof and a combination of the balls and the court made me feel better serving.

“I’m glad today it worked.”

Rybakina’s opponent in the quarter-finals will be Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, whom she beat in the Ningbo final.

The Kazakh said she had not had time to explore Tokyo, but planned to indulge a new hobby when she gets a chance.

“Because of my coach I am a little bit following Pokemon cards now,” she said.

“I’m not a huge fan but he is, so I know a little bit, and we were getting some cards, opening them and trying to find some important ones.”

In another second-round match, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the WTA 500 event after a 6-3, 7-5 defeat by Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova.

The wild card, who turned 18 just last week, advanced to the quarter-finals where she will meet American Alycia Parks.

“I am really proud of myself,” said Pohankova. “It is the first time I have played against such a hard player and I feel really, really good.

“(I) was watching her when I was younger and watching her when she won the Grand Slams, and now I play against her. I think it’s like a dream and I’m really, really happy.”

The tournament’s 2019 winner, Osaka broke first to lead 2-0 in the first set but Pohankova broke straight back and broke twice more with accurate forehand winners to take control of the match.

Pohankova had the only break to seal the tightly contested second set as Osaka, who was back at the tournament for the first time in four years, sent her forehand long.

Osaka, 29, said she would “keep attempting” to get back to her Grand Slam-winning best after her 2026 season came to an end.

The four-time Major champion, who is now ranked world No. 18, said she was “at peace” with herself, adding: “Obviously when I play a Slam, it’s in my mind to challenge for it.

“Unfortunately I haven’t been in that position yet, and I’m going to keep attempting it. But if you’re asking me how I think my tennis is, I think it’s pretty good.” AFP, REUTERS