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Friday | October 30, 2026 | Dhaka

Rybakina clinches year-end top ranking

 Agency
 Published: 12:09 AM, 30 October 2026

World No. 1 Elena Rybakina hailed her “amazing achievement” after securing the year-end top ranking for the first time with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in Japan on Oct 29.

The 27-year-old became world No. 1 for the first time en route to winning the US Open in September, replacing Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the summit.

Rybakina ensured she will start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match in Tokyo, swatting aside world No. 67 Putintseva at the Pan Pacific Open in 70 minutes.

The achievement capped a year in which she also won the Australian Open in January.
“It means a lot, this is something we worked for with the team,” said the three-time Major winner.

“So many great players and we are all really close to each other, and I’m happy that now with last week and with today’s win, I made it possible to secure No. 1 at the end of the year.

“It’s an amazing achievement and hopefully we can continue this way next year,” she added.envoy to South-east Asian meeting after seaow
Moscow-born Rybakina has already secured her place at the season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells from Nov 8 to 15.

She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season at last week’s Ningbo Open in China.
She sent down six aces against Putintseva and saved the only break point she faced.

“Today the serve definitely helped me in the important moments,” she said.

“I was just trying to pick my spot and I think today with a closed roof and a combination of the balls and the court made me feel better serving.

“I’m glad today it worked.”
Rybakina’s opponent in the quarter-finals will be Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, whom she beat in the Ningbo final.

Rybakina said she had not had time to explore Tokyo but planned to indulge a new hobby when she gets a chance.

“Because of my coach I am a little bit following Pokemon cards now,” she said.

“I’m not a huge fan but he is so I know a little bit, and we were getting some cards, opening them and trying to find some important ones.”