Her withdrawal handed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic a walkover into Sunday\u2019s final, where the sixth seed will face either Sofia Kenin or Belinda Bencic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 2022 Wimbledon champion, who had looked in fine form all week, expressed her disappointment in a statement released by the tournament. \u201cI\u2019m very sorry I can\u2019t play today,\u201d said the Moscow-born Kazakh. \u201cI have been having problems with my back this week and can\u2019t play 100 per cent. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today, but I hope to see you next year.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina\u2019s decision to pull out comes at the end of a demanding stretch on the tour that saw her secure her eighth and final qualifying spot for the WTA Finals, which will be held next month in Saudi Arabia. On Friday, she sealed her place among the elite eight with a straight-sets victory over Canada\u2019s Victoria Mboko in the Tokyo quarterfinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The world number seven has been in excellent form recently, lifting the Ningbo Open title in China last week to boost her qualification chances for the prestigious year-end event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina\u2019s decision to pull out comes at the end of a demanding stretch on the tour that saw her secure her eighth and final qualifying spot for the WTA Finals, which will be held next month in Saudi Arabia. On Friday, she sealed her place among the elite eight with a straight-sets victory over Canada\u2019s Victoria Mboko in the Tokyo quarterfinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fans will now hope her withdrawal is merely precautionary as she looks to recover in time for the WTA Finals, where she will join a star-studded field featuring the likes of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula.<\/p>\r\n\r\n