Harriet Dart reaches Guangzhou Open semi-final as Elena Rybakina withdraws with injury at Pan Pacific Open

The British No 3 looked up against it after losing the first set 6-3 but rebounded brilliantly to win the next two sets 6-2 6-4, securing her fifth victory in a row and one of the finest of her career.

"It was an incredible battle," Dart said in her on-court interview on Sky Sports. "I thought Paula started really strongly. I was always behind, but I knew going in that it was going to be an incredibly tough match.

"I really needed to hang in there in the tough moments, and maybe I'd get a chance. Luckily I was able to take my chances today and I'm really excited to be in the semi-final.

"It's been a very long time since I've been in the business end of a (WTA) tournament, so I'm very proud of that."

Dart is into her first WTA semi-final since the Transylvania Open in 2024, having beaten Tatiana Prozorova and Janice Tjen in the earlier stages after coming through two qualifying rounds.

Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open with injury

World No 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew injured against Leylah Fernandez in the Pan Pacific Open to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage.

The Kazakh player withdrew from the match before a point was played, giving the Canadian Fernandez safe passage into the last four in Tokyo, where she will play Kamilla Rakhimova for a place in the final.

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won't be able to play," the 27-year-old said on-court.

"I've been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury.

"It's difficult for me to come and play at 100 per cent since there is also a very important tournament coming up."

Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals and will stay the world No 1 at the conclusion of a year in which she won two Grand Slams - the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.

Having won Wimbledon in 2022, Rybakina - a 27-year-old born in Russia but representing Kazakhstan - is only a French Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam.

She described her year-end status as "an incredibly special moment for me."

"I'm really proud of what I've achieved this season and the consistency I've shown throughout the year," said Rybakina, who also won titles in Stuttgart and Ningbo and rose to No. 1 in the world for the first time by winning the U.S. Open.

Rybakina will be honoured with a trophy to mark the achievement during a special presentation at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from November 8-15.

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