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Leylah Fernandez Secures Spot in Tokyo Pan Pacific Open Final

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In this breakdown

01

Tokyo Final Set for Leylah Fernandez

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, world No. 23, defeated Uzbekistan’s lucky-loser Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 on October 30, 2026 to book her place in the WTA 500 Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo. The Canadian entered the semifinal after receiving a walkover when world No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew from their quarter-final match because of a neck injury. Fernandez’s victory over Rakhimova marked her third final of the 2026 Asian swing and put her in contention for a seventh career WTA title.

Al Jazeera (website)Leylah Fernandez Beats Rakhimova to Reach Tokyo Final ESPNWTA Tokyo Semifinal Predictions Including Diana Shnaider vs Mia Pohankova Fernandez Takes Walkover Into Tokyo Semifinal as Rybakina Withdraws Elena Rybakina Withdraws From Tokyo Open 2026 Tennis With Neck Injury, Leylah Fernandez Advances to Semifinals Elena Rybakina ranking points and prize money from Pan Pacific Open after ‘injury’ denies Leylah Fernandez rematch The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

02

Asian Swing Momentum

Fernandez arrived in Tokyo after a strong finish to her season. She captured the Singapore Open title in September as a wild-card, then reached the Ningbo Open final the following week, where she lost to Rybakina. Those results lifted her from No. 30 to No. 23 in the rankings and gave her a 15-win-out-of-19 record on hard courts heading into the Japanese event. Rakhimova, ranked No. 66, entered the draw as a lucky loser after falling in qualifying but advanced to the semifinals by defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maya Joint in three-set matches.

Leylah Fernandez Beats Rakhimova to Reach Tokyo Final

Visual evidence

Images from the story

October 31, 2026, Tokyo, Japan: Diana SHNAIDER returns a shot against Mia POHANKOVA (SVK) during their semi-final match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The tournament runs from October 26 to November 1. Tokyo Japan - ZUMAm191 20261031_aap_m191_054 Copyright: xRodrigoxReyesxMarinx
October 31, 2026, Tokyo, Japan: Diana SHNAIDER returns a shot against Mia POHANKOVA (SVK) during their semi-final match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The tournament runs from October 26 to November 1. Tokyo Japan - ZUMAm191 20261031_aap_m191_054 Copyright: xRodrigoxReyesxMarinxPhoto: tenniswatcher
Canada's Leylah Fernandez hits a return against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova during their semifinal at the WTA Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo
Canada's Leylah Fernandez hits a return against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova during their semifinal at the WTA Pan Pacific Open in TokyoPhoto: aljazeera
October 31, 2026, Tokyo, Japan: Leylah FERNANDEZ (CAN) returns a shot against Kamilla RAKHIMOVA (UZB) during their semi-final match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The tournament runs from October 26 to November 1. Tokyo Japan - ZUMAm191 20261031_aap_m191_009 Copyright: xRodrigoxReyesxMarinx
October 31, 2026, Tokyo, Japan: Leylah FERNANDEZ (CAN) returns a shot against Kamilla RAKHIMOVA (UZB) during their semi-final match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The tournament runs from October 26 to November 1. Tokyo Japan - ZUMAm191 20261031_aap_m191_009 Copyright: xRodrigoxReyesxMarinxPhoto: tenniswatcher
Leylah Fernandez beat fifth seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6(8) on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. It was the Canadian’s second win over the Belgian in just over a week, and it could set up a rematch with world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who beat her in the Ningbo final on Sunday. Fernandez, ranked No. 23, took control from the start against the world No. 14. She dominated the opening set 6-2, putting Mertens under pressure right away. The second set was much tighter.
Leylah Fernandez beat fifth seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6(8) on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. It was the Canadian’s second win over the Belgian in just over a week, and it could set up a rematch with world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who beat her in the Ningbo final on Sunday. Fernandez, ranked No. 23, took control from the start against the world No. 14. She dominated the opening set 6-2, putting Mertens under pressure right away. The second set was much tighter.Photo: tenniswatcher
Leylah Fernandez serves the ball to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during the U.S. Open in September. Kirsty Wigglesworth/The Canadian Press
Leylah Fernandez serves the ball to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during the U.S. Open in September. Kirsty Wigglesworth/The Canadian PressPhoto: theglobeandmail
October 30, 2026, Tokyo, Japan - Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns the ball against Diana Shnaider of Russia at the quarter final match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament at the Ariake colosseum in Tokyo on Friday, October 30, 2026. Shnaider defeated Eala 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda AFLO) PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_360332280
October 30, 2026, Tokyo, Japan - Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns the ball against Diana Shnaider of Russia at the quarter final match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament at the Ariake colosseum in Tokyo on Friday, October 30, 2026. Shnaider defeated Eala 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda AFLO) PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_360332280Photo: tenniswatcher
Leylah Fernandez beat lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The Canadian avenged a recent defeat to the Uzbek player and moved one win away from her second title of the Asian swing, after winning in Singapore and reaching the final in Ningbo. The world No. 23 needed one hour and 54 minutes to win her first semifinal in Tokyo. The win also returns her to the top of the Canadian rankings, ahead of Victoria Mboko. She will face eithe
Leylah Fernandez beat lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The Canadian avenged a recent defeat to the Uzbek player and moved one win away from her second title of the Asian swing, after winning in Singapore and reaching the final in Ningbo. The world No. 23 needed one hour and 54 minutes to win her first semifinal in Tokyo. The win also returns her to the top of the Canadian rankings, ahead of Victoria Mboko. She will face eithePhoto: tenniswatcher
October 30, 2026, Tokyo, Japan - Mia Pohankova of Slovakia clinches her fist after she defeated Alycia Parks of the United States at the quarter final match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament at the Ariake colosseum in Tokyo on Friday, October 30, 2026. Pohankova defeated Parks 7-6, 6-3. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda AFLO) PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_360304156
October 30, 2026, Tokyo, Japan - Mia Pohankova of Slovakia clinches her fist after she defeated Alycia Parks of the United States at the quarter final match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament at the Ariake colosseum in Tokyo on Friday, October 30, 2026. Pohankova defeated Parks 7-6, 6-3. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda AFLO) PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_360304156Photo: tenniswatcher

03

Rankings and Titles

  • Leylah Fernandez: world No. 23; 6th career title (Singapore) and runner-up in Ningbo.
Leylah Fernandez Keeps Asian Swing Rolling in Tokyo
  • Kamilla Rakhimova: world No. 66; first WTA 500 semifinal, poised to rise into the mid-40s.
Leylah Fernandez Beats Rakhimova to Reach Tokyo Final
  • Elena Rybakina: world No. 1; secured year-end top ranking with a second-round win over Yulia Putintseva earlier in the tournament.
Elena Rybakina Withdraws From Tokyo Open 2026 Tennis With Neck Injury, Leylah Fernandez Advances to Semifinals

Fernandez’s semifinal win adds 195 ranking points and £49,243 in prize money, moving her within reach of a top-20 spot if she captures the title.

Elena Rybakina ranking points and prize money from Pan Pacific Open after ‘injury’ denies Leylah Fernandez rematch

04

Official Statements & Responses

Elena Rybakina addressed the crowd in Tokyo, explaining that a “little injury” in her neck prevented her from playing at 100 percent and that she needed to be fit for the upcoming WTA Finals in Indian Wells, scheduled to begin November 8. Rybakina’s withdrawal opened the draw, allowing Fernandez to advance without playing the quarter-final.

Elena Rybakina Withdraws From Tokyo Open 2026 Tennis With Neck Injury, Leylah Fernandez Advances to Semifinals Elena Rybakina ranking points and prize money from Pan Pacific Open after ‘injury’ denies Leylah Fernandez rematch The Globe and Mail (Toronto)ESPNESPNCBC NewsFernandez Takes Walkover Into Tokyo Semifinal as Rybakina Withdraws Al Jazeera (website)

Tournament officials noted the unprecedented attendance at the event and highlighted the “incredible impact” of the Asian swing on player form, but no further official commentary on the semifinal result was released.

Elena Rybakina ranking points and prize money from Pan Pacific Open after ‘injury’ denies Leylah Fernandez rematch

05

Verbatim Quotes

  • “Dear fans, I’m very sorry to announce that I’ve had to withdraw from my next match,” — Elena Rybakina, US open champion — Elena Rybakina, US Open champion
Fernandez Takes Walkover Into Tokyo Semifinal as Rybakina Withdraws
  • “I’ve been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury. It’s difficult for me to come and play at 100 percent since there is also a very important tournament coming up,” — Elena Rybakina, US open champion — Elena Rybakina, US Open champion
Elena Rybakina Withdraws From Tokyo Open 2026 Tennis With Neck Injury, Leylah Fernandez Advances to Semifinals
  • “This match deserved to be a final,” — Russia’s Diana Shnaider — Russia’s Diana Shnaider
Fernandez Takes Walkover Into Tokyo Semifinal as Rybakina Withdraws

06

What’s Next

Fernandez will face either Russia’s Diana Shnaider or Slovakia’s wild-card Mia Pohankova in the final on Sunday. A victory would give her a seventh WTA Tour title and likely elevate her to a career-high ranking inside the top 20. The tournament’s outcome also reshapes the title race after the early exit of the top seed, leaving the remaining semifinalists—Fernandez, Rakhimova, Pohankova, and the winner of the Shnaider-Eala quarter-final—vying for the championship.

WTA Tokyo Semifinal Predictions Including Diana Shnaider vs Mia Pohankova