Canada's Fernandez reaches Japan Open semis after Rybakina withdraws

Elena Rybakina, the world's No. 1-ranked player and top seed in the Pan Pacific Open, withdrew from her quarterfinal match on Friday, handing the win to Leylah Fernandez of Canada.

Rybakina said she could not play because of an undisclosed injury. She stood on the tennis court in Tokyo and delivered the news to fans and ended by saying “I hope to see you all next year.”

She said she had been struggling for several day “with a little injury” and needs to be ready for next month's WTA finals in Indian Wells, Calif.

Rybakina guaranteed herself being ranked No. 1 at the end of the year with Thursday's victory over Yulia Putintseva.

Canada's Fernandez holds off Mertens to reach Japan Open quarterfinals

Fernandez, of Laval, Que., will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the semifinals. The Uzbekistan native defeated Australia's Maya Joint 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.

In other quarterfinals, No. 3-seeded Diana Shnaider recovered to beat No. 8 Alexandra Eala 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Shnaider will next face teenager Mia Pohankova, who beat Alycia Parks 7-6 (3), 6-3. Pohankova of Slovakia just turned 18 last week and was a wild card entry.