TOKYO: Elena Rybakina pulled out injured ahead of her Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday, putting Linda Noskova into a title decider against Belinda Bencic.

Switzerland’s Bencic defeated Sofia Kenin of the United States in a three-set battle in the other semi-final in Tokyo.

Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and second seed in the Japanese capital, secured her spot in the season-ending WTA Finals on Friday.

“I’m very sorry I can’t play today,” Rybakina said after pulling out of her last-four clash against the sixth-seeded Czech Noskova. “I have been having problems with my back this week and can’t play 100 percent. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year.”

On Friday, the world number seven clinched the eighth and last spot at next month’s WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia when she beat Victoria Mboko in straight sets in the quarter-finals.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympic champion Bencic, seeded fifth, reached Sunday’s final after defeating Kenin 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-2 over a see-sawing two hours and 15 minutes.

Bencic reached the final in Tokyo a decade ago as an 18-year-old, losing to Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.

“I feel very old to hear that I’m in the final again after 10 years,” said Bencic, who won the Abu Dhabi title in February, four months after returning to the circuit from maternity leave.

“It’s really nice, of course. It’s been a tough battle out there. I’m happy I was able to give it my all and go for it in the end. I’m really excited to play the final.”

Noskova, who was beaten in the China Open final earlier this month by American Amanda Anisimova, will aim to capture only her second WTA title having triumphed in Monterrey last year.

“She’s definitely the in-form player,” Bencic said. “She’s a great player so I’m expecting it to be another tough match tomorrow.”

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2025