Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova

Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova | iNFOnews.ca
Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts as she plays against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their singles semifinal match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO (AP) — Leylah Fernandez has advanced to her third WTA final of the year, with a chance to win her second tournament.

The Canadian beat Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 Saturday in the semifinals of the WTA’s Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament. In Sunday’s final, Fernandez will play third-seeded Diana Shnaider, who beat teenager Mia Pohankova in the second semifinal Saturday 6-4, 7-6 (7).

Fernandez beat Talia Gibson in straight sets to win the Singapore Open in September. She lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets in the Ningbo Open final last week.

Fernandez advanced to the semifinals when top-ranked Rybakina withdrew from their quarterfinal on Friday, handing the Canadian a walkover.

Rybakina guaranteed herself the year-end No. 1 ranking with her second-round victory on Thursday.

Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova | iNFOnews.ca
Diana Shnaider of Russia returns a shot against Mia Pohankova of Slovakia during their singles semifinal match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova | iNFOnews.ca
Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan congratulates Leylah Fernandez of Canada after their singles semifinal match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova | iNFOnews.ca
Leylah Fernandez of Canada gestures as she plays against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their singles semifinal match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova | iNFOnews.ca
Mia Pohankova of Slovakia reacts as she plays against Diana Shnaider of Russia during their singles semifinal match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles