Rybakina clinches final WTA Finals spot with Tokyo win

Elena Rybakina secured the final qualifying spot for the 2025 WTA Finals by defeating Victoria Mboko to reach the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. This achievement marks her third consecutive appearance at the season-ending event in Riyadh, where she joins top players including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, clinched the spot by surpassing Mirra Andreeva in the WTA Race, ending with 4,350 points. Despite a tough quarter-final match, she managed to win in straight sets, showcasing strong serves and critical points in the tiebreak. Rybakina expressed satisfaction with qualifying and emphasized the importance of managing her physical condition ahead of the finals. Russian players Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova were named the first and second alternates for the tournament.