Elena Rybakina has secured the year-end world number one ranking for the first time by beating Yulia Putintseva 6–2, 6–3 in Tokyo. The Kazakh player held serve throughout the match and next faces Leylah Fernandez. Her season has included Australian Open and US Open titles, followed by victory in Ningbo.
Elena Rybakina secured her first year-end world number one ranking with a 6–2, 6–3 win over fellow Kazakh player Yulia Putintseva in Tokyo. The second-round victory at the Pan Pacific Open put her beyond Aryna Sabalenka’s reach in the year-end standings. Rybakina first climbed to number one after winning the US Open in September.[1], [2]
Rybakina completed the match in 70 minutes without dropping serve. She saved the only break point she faced with a backhand in the final game and finished with her sixth ace. She landed 63 per cent of first serves and lost only 10 points behind them. Afterwards she said she had prepared for Putintseva’s changes of rhythm and drop shots. She also said the closed roof made the ball travel faster and suited her game.[1]
Her Tokyo quarterfinal pairs her with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, whom she beat 6–2, 6–2 in last week’s Ningbo final. That title was Rybakina’s fourth of the season and Tokyo extended her winning run to five matches. She leads Fernandez 4–2 in their meetings. Her season also includes the Australian Open and US Open titles.[1], [2]
