Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova

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.

Fernandez will play the winner of the second semifinal between third-seeded Diana Shnaider and teenager Mia Pohankova in Sunday's final.

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 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)

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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)

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)

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)

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)

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