Elena Rybakina's week in Tokyo proved to be a bittersweet affair as the Kazakh star secured her third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals before being forced to withdraw from the Pan Pacific Open semifinals due to a back injury.

The 26-year-old former Wimbledon champion booked her ticket to the season-ending championships in Riyadh with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Victoria Mboko in Friday's quarterfinal. The win was crucial for Rybakina, who needed to reach the semifinals to claim the eighth and final spot at the prestigious WTA Finals. Had she fallen short, young Russian Mirra Andreeva would have taken her place in the elite field.

Rybakina's qualification means she will join an impressive lineup at the WTA Finals scheduled for November 1-8 in Riyadh. The field includes world number one Aryna Sabalenka, defending champion Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Jasmine Paolini. Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova will serve as first and second alternates respectively.

However, the celebration was short-lived. Just one day after her quarterfinal triumph, Rybakina announced her withdrawal from the semifinals, citing ongoing back problems that had troubled her throughout the week. In her statement, Rybakina was candid about her condition, saying she had been having problems with her back during the tournament and felt unable to compete at 100 percent.

The withdrawal handed Czech player Linda Noskova a walkover directly into Sunday's final, where she faced Swiss veteran Belinda Bencic. Bencic had earned her place in the final with a three-set victory over Sofia Kenin, winning 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

Rybakina's decision to withdraw appears to be a calculated move to protect her health ahead of the WTA Finals, where she will be competing against the world's best players for one of tennis's most lucrative titles. The back injury concern is particularly significant given the intensity of the late-season schedule and the importance of arriving in Riyadh in peak physical condition.

This will mark Rybakina's third consecutive appearance at the year-end championships, a testament to her consistency at the highest level of women's tennis. Since capturing her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022, Rybakina has established herself as one of the tour's most formidable competitors, known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game.

While her withdrawal from Tokyo was disappointing for fans hoping to see her compete for the Pan Pacific Open title, Rybakina's focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for the WTA Finals, where she will aim to cap off another successful season with a strong performance against the world's elite.