TOKYO: World number one Elena Rybakina hailed her “amazing achievement” after securing the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in Japan on Thursday.
Rybakina became world number one for the first time last month in winning the US Open, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit.
She ensured she will start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match, swatting aside world number 67 Putintseva at the Pan Pacific Open in 70 minutes.
The achievement capped a year in which Rybakina also won the Australian Open in January and now has three Grand Slam titles.
“It means a lot, this is something we worked for with the team,” said the 27-year-old.
“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 number one at the end of the year.
“It’s an amazing achievement and hopefully we can continue this way next year,” she added.
Moscow-born Rybakina has already secured her place at next month’s season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells.
She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season last week at the Ningbo Open in China.
She sent down six aces against Putintseva and saved the only break point she faced.
“Today the serve definitely helped me in the important moments,” she said.
“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, who beat fifth seed Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-2, 7-6(10/8).
Earlier on Thursday, former world number one Naomi Osaka was ousted by Slovakian 18-year-old Mia Pohankova 6-3, 7-5 in their second round clash.
However, the four-time Grand Slam champion said she would “keep attempting” to get back to her Grand Slam-winning best.
“Obviously when I play a Slam, it’s in my mind to challenge for it,” she said. “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.”
Pohankova, who said she grew up watching Osaka, broke her opponent three times to take the first set and kept the momentum going to win the match.
The teenager hit seven aces, and Osaka said it was “tricky to play someone that I know nothing about”.
“It is a little difficult, but I also remember when I was in her position and I was playing players that I watched on TV,” Osaka said. “I guess age catches up to you eventually.”
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
