Rybakina pulls out of Pan Pacific Open semi-final

Elena Rybakina will rise to world number six when the rankings are updated on Monday

Elena Rybakina pulled out of her Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday citing back problems, a day after securing her spot in the season-ending WTA Finals.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion was due to face Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic - who will now meet Belinda Bencic in Sunday's final in Tokyo.

"I'm very sorry I can't play today," Rybakina, 26, said in a statement.

"I have been having problems with my back this week and can't play 100%. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year."

The Kazakh beat Victoria Mboko on Friday to seal the last spot for next month's WTA Finals, which feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the year.

She had needed to reach at least the semi-finals in Tokyo to pass Russian 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the race for the eighth and final spot.

Rybakina, who won the Ningbo Open in China last week, will rise to world number six when the rankings are updated on Monday.

Several high-profile players have seen their seasons ended prematurely over recent weeks.

Former women's world number one Iga Swiatek complained in September that the season is "too long and too intense" amid a string of injuries to players at the China Open.

Bencic, meanwhile overcame American Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-2 to book her place in the final in the city where she won Olympic gold in 2021.

Both players were strong on serve in the opening set before the Swiss won it on a tie-break.

Former Australian Open champion Kenin then took the second set before Bencic dominated the decider - thanks in part to some sloppy play from Kenin - to progress.

"I think it was a very difficult match," said Bencic.

"I'm really exhausted at this point. I tried to shorten the points, take more risks and tried to go for it. Thankfully today it went my way."

Bencic will be looking to win her second title of the season on Sunday, while Noskova - who lost in the China Open final to Amanda Anisimova at the start of the month - is aiming for her second WTA crown.