TOKYO:

Elena Rybakina pulled out injured ahead of her Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday, putting Linda Noskova into a title decider against Belinda Bencic.

Switzerland's Bencic defeated Sofia Kenin of the United States in a three-set battle in the other semi-final in Tokyo.

Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and second seed in the Japanese capital, secured her spot in the season-ending WTA Finals on Friday.

"I'm very sorry I can't play today," Rybakina said after pulling out of her last-four clash against the sixth-seeded Czech Noskova.

"I have been having problems with my back this week and can't play 100 percent. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year."

On Friday, the world number seven clinched the eighth an

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