Neck injury ends Rybakina's Tokyo run; Fernandez advances

Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday because of a neck injury, the WTA announced. Leylah Fernandez advances by walkover and will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the semifinals.

Rybakina said inflammation and pain in her neck were preventing her from playing at her best. The withdrawal comes in the week she secured her first year-end world No. 1 singles ranking, following a season that includes two Grand Slam titles.

Rakhimova earns the other place

Rakhimova, a lucky loser, earned her place by beating qualifier Maya Joint 7-5, 5-7, 6-1. She recovered from 5-2 down in the opening set and reached a WTA 500 semifinal for the first time, according to the tour's report.

The opening-set comeback was the hinge of Rakhimova's win. After Joint took the second set, Rakhimova won the third decisively to turn a place in the draw as a lucky loser into her deepest run at this tournament level.

Fernandez and Rakhimova now meet for a place in the final. Rybakina's statement did not give a recovery timetable.