Elena Rybakina secured the year-end WTA number one ranking after defeating Yulia Putintseva in straight sets at the Pan Pacific Open.

The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion won 6-2 6-3 in an hour and 11 minutes to reach the last 16 in Tokyo.

Rybakina converted a break point in game three of the opener, and broke Putintseva's serve again in game eight to win the set.

The top seed needed just one break in the second, which came in game four, but had to save a break point in game nine before clinching victory with her second match point.

"It means a lot. This is something we worked for with the team," Rybakina said about her year-end ranking.

"So many great players and we are all really close to each other, and I'm happy that now with last week and with this win I made it possible to secure number one at the end of the year.

"It's an amazing achievement and hopefully we can continue this way next year."

Sealed with an ace  Elena Rybakina defeats Putintseva in straight sets! #TorayPPO https://t.co/WHIJFebcXo

— wta (@WTA) October 29, 2026

After defeating compatriot Putintseva, Rybakina will face Leylah Fernandez in the quarter-finals, having defeated the Canadian in the Ningbo showpiece last week.

Fernandez reached the last eight in Tokyo with a 6-2 7-6 (10-8) victory over Elise Mertens.

Rybakina continues 2026 rise

After starting the year with silverware at the Australian Open, Rybakina has gone on to win four titles in 2026, most recently triumphing in Ningbo.

She moved to the top of the WTA rankings for the first time after defeating Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows and went on to defeat former world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the showpiece.

With her WTA Finals title defence coming up next month, Rybakina will want to enter that tournament with back-to-back trophies in Ningbo and Tokyo, and she is well placed to do so.

She fired in six aces and 25 winners against Putinseva, who failed to get the better of Rybakina's serve once.

Rybakina has now won 12 of her last 13 matches, only going down in the first round in Beijing to Alina Charaeva.