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Updated October 5, 2026

Rybakina keeps No. 1 spot in live WTA rankings after China Open

An early exit in Beijing has not cost Elena Rybakina the top spot in the world rankings. According to Tennis365, she started the China Open with 9,901 points, 2,091 clear of Aryna Sabalenka. After her second-round loss to Alina Charaeva, Rybakina dropped 205 points and stands on 9,696 in the live WTA rankings. Sabalenka went out in the third round to Nikola Bartunkova and dropped 325 points compared with her 2025 result: she has 7,485 points, and her deficit to Rybakina has grown to 2,211. In the Race to the WTA Finals, which counts only 2026 points, Rybakina is also first with 7,502 points against Sabalenka's 6,550. The official ranking including the China Open will be published after the tournament ends: the Beijing final is on 11 October. Rybakina's next event is the WTA 500 in Ningbo (19–25 October), where she defends her 2025 title.

Ranking

Source: Tennis365, Sports.kz

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Tokyo: withdrawal before the quarterfinal
Tokyo · WTA 500 · 26 October – 1 November

On 30 October Rybakina withdrew from the Tokyo tournament before her quarterfinal against Leylah Fernandez. According to the WTA, the reason is a neck injury: inflammation and pain are stopping her from playing at her best. A day earlier, by beating Yulia Putintseva, she secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking.

Next on the calendar is the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, 8–15 November. How the injury affects her participation has not been announced yet.

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