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Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova

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Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova
Sport

Sport

Leylah Fernandez advances to Tokyo WTA final with win over Rakhimova

2026-10-31 15:19 Last Updated At：15:30

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).

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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)

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)

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)
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)

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)
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 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)
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)

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 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)

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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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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 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)

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)

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 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)

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)

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.

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

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)

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)

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)

 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)

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)
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 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)

 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)

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 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)

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)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Defending champion Miyu Yamashita shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into Sunday's final round of the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship.

The 2025 Women's British Open winner and second-round leader had a 54-hole total of 18-under 198 on the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course. She won last year’s Malaysian tournament after a three-way playoff.

China's Yan Liu had the round of the day Saturday, a 63 which included an eagle, nine birdies and two bogeys, to move into a tie for second place. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who led after the first round and shot 67 Saturday, was level with Yan.

Last week, Yuri Yoshida won the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea, the fourth Japanese player this season to win on the LPGA Tour, joining Yamashita, Shiho Kuwaki and Yuna Nishimura. Yoshida shot 66 Saturday and was at 11-under.

Charley Hull shot 72 and was at 9-under and tied for 18th.

Next week, the LPGA's four-week, late-season Asian swing ends with the Toto Japan Classic at Omitama outside Tokyo.

See AP’s full golf coverage here

Perrine Delacour of France prepares to plays a shot on the 3rd hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Perrine Delacour of France prepares to plays a shot on the 3rd hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

 Miyu Yamashita of Japan plays a shot from a bunker during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/David Hu)

Miyu Yamashita of Japan plays a shot from a bunker during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/David Hu)

 Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France watches her shot on the 5th hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France watches her shot on the 5th hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

 Yu Liu of China lines a putt on the 3rd hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yu Liu of China lines a putt on the 3rd hole during the third day of LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

 Miyu Yamashita of Japan plays a shot on the 6th hole during the third day of the LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Miyu Yamashita of Japan plays a shot on the 6th hole during the third day of the LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
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