Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina secured the final spot for the WTA Finals in Riyadh after reaching the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday.
Rybakina, who has won two WTA 500 titles this year, beat Canada’s Victoria Mboko 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the quarter-finals.
The 26-year-old will make her third straight appearance at the WTA Finals, which take place in Riyadh from 1 to 8 November. Russians Mirra Andreeva, 18, and Ekaterina Alexandrova, 30, were named as the first and second alternates.
The former Wimbledon champion joins world number one Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, defending champion Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Jasmine Paolini in the line-up.
“The WTA Finals bring together the best of the best, and this season has shown just how strong and competitive the women’s game is,” said tournament director Garbine Muguruza.
Rybakina, who will rise to world number six in the next rankings update, faces Czech player Linda Noskova in the Tokyo semi-finals on Saturday.
