about 11 hours ago

Elena Rybakina Joins 2025 Elite With 12th WTA Quarterfinal After Beating Leylah Fernandez

Rybakina beat Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Japan Open quarters, setting a clash with Victoria Mboko. The win gives her 12 WTA-level quarterfinals in 2025—trailing only Iga Swiatek (14) and Aryna Sabalenka (13), per Opta. The 2022 Wimbledon champion has won two straight-sets wins this week and now targets a semifinal berth to keep pressure on the tour leaders in Tokyo.