Elena Rybakina is looking to pip Mirra Andreeva to the final WTA Finals spot while competing at the Japan Open this week.
The Kazakhstani star has just captured her 10th WTA Tour title at the Ningbo Open and she will hope to continue her good form in Japan.
Rybakina, who is ninth in the WTA Finals race, needs to reach the semi-final stage in Japan to qualify for the finals.
The 26-year-old has been aided by Andreeva, who is absent from this week’s competition.
However, Rybakina’s task is far from simple, as demonstrated by the status of her first-round opponent in Japan.
Rybakina’s tough Japan Open draw
In her first match, Elena Rybakina will face Leylah Fernandez, who recently won the Japan Open in Osaka.
Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist, defeated former world number six Maria Sakkari in the first round, 7-6, 6-4.
Fernandez, who could be a player to watch for 2026, is able to beat any WTA player when she is in her best form, as demonstrated by victories against Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro in 2025.
Fernandez and Rybakina last met at the Washington Open in July. The Canadian won their semi-final meeting, eventually triumphing 6-7, 7-6, 7-6.
Fernandez leads her head-to-head matchup against Rybakina by two victories to one. Rybakina won their first contest at the 2024 Qatar Open, before Fernandez had her revenge at the 2024 Cincinnati Open.
If Rybakina defeats Fernandez, she will face one of Eva Lys or Victoria Mboko.
Lys has been on a terrific run of form, most recently making the quarter-finals at the China Open.
Mboko, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency in recent tournaments. However, the WTA 1000 champion would fancy her chances against Rybakina, having defeated her at the Canadian Open in August.
In the Japan Open first round, Mboko defeated compatriot Bianca Andreescu, while Lys defeated British star Katie Boulter.
If Rybakina defeats Fernandez and one of Mboko or Lys on her way to the semi-finals, she will have most certainly earned her spot in the WTA Finals.
When are the WTA Finals?
The WTA Finals, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are scheduled to take place from November 1 to 8.
So far, seven players have qualified: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula and Jasmine Paolini.
Coco Gauff is the defending champion. She defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng in the 2024 final.
Rybakina has never made it past the group phase of the tournament. She has twice qualified for the Finals, in 2023 and 2024.
