Elena Rybakina secured her position as the year-end No. 1 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings after advancing to the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Thursday. The Kazakhstani player, who claimed titles at both the Australian Open and the US Open in 2026, defeated compatriot Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 to guarantee she will finish the season at the top of the rankings, regardless of the outcome at the forthcoming WTA Finals.

Speaking at a press conference following her victory, Rybakina described the achievement as “amazing” and expressed optimism about maintaining her performance into the next year.

In her next match, Rybakina is set to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was eliminated from the tournament prior to the quarter-finals. Osaka fell in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, to 18-year-old Slovakian Mia Pohankova, who will advance further in the Tokyo event.

The Pan Pacific Open continues to feature prominently as players vie for valuable ranking points and momentum ahead of the season's final competitions.