Rybakina Advances to Tokyo Semifinals, Secures WTA Finals Spot with Mboko Victory
Elena Rybakina achieved a notable victory against Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, securing her place in the semifinals and clinching a spot in the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Rybakina Advances to Semifinals
Rybakina faced Mboko in a crucial match on Friday, triumphing with a score of 6-3, 7-6(4). This victory marks Rybakina’s commitment to the WTA 500 tournament and adds her name to the final group of competitors for the season-ending championships.
Path to the WTA Finals
The World No. 7 athlete had to reach at least the semifinals to overtake Mirra Andreeva in the Race to the WTA Finals. With her recent victory, Rybakina ascended to the eighth and final spot.
- Rybakina had previously won the AUX · Ningbo Open.
- In Tokyo, she also defeated Leylah Fernandez before facing Mboko.
- Her victory over Mboko was a reversal of their last encounter in Montreal.
Match Highlights
The match lasted 1 hour and 32 minutes, showcasing a high level of tennis from both players. Rybakina hit 23 winners, while Mboko followed with 17, despite both accumulating 11 unforced errors.
Rybakina started strong, winning the first three games. In a tight second set, both players fought hard, erasing break point opportunities. Rybakina’s resilience shone through, as she saved a set point while trailing 5-6.
Player Reactions
“It was a very difficult match against Victoria,” Rybakina remarked post-match. “I’m very happy to win in two sets today.” Her focus on maintaining an effective serve contributed to her success.
Looking Ahead
Rybakina aims to extend her winning streak to seven matches. She is set to face the No. 6 seed, Linda Noskova, in the semifinals after Noskova advanced due to Anna Kalinskaya’s retirement from the match.
