Canada's Leylah Fernandez reached the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Saturday, October 31, after defeating Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 in the semi-finals. The win puts the world No. 23 into her third WTA final of the 2026 season and gives her a chance to claim a second title this year at the WTA 500 hard-court event.
Fernandez recovers from early setbacks
Fernandez had to work her way back in both sets against Rakhimova. The Canadian fell behind by a break early in the opening set, but responded with a break of her own and gradually took control to close it out 7-5.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Rakhimova again moved ahead early, only for Fernandez to recover the break and take command of the rallies. Fernandez hit nine aces during the match and completed the victory in just under two hours, ending Rakhimova's run in Tokyo.
Rakhimova's progress to the last four was itself notable. The world No. 66 had lost in qualifying but entered the main draw as a lucky loser. She made the most of that second chance by reaching the semi-finals, where Fernandez's consistency and serving proved decisive.
Third final of the season for the Canadian
The Tokyo final is Fernandez's third WTA championship match in 2026. She won the Singapore Open in September, defeating Talia Gibson in straight sets, before reaching the final of the Ningbo Open in China the following week.
Fernandez finished runner-up in Ningbo, losing to Elena Rybakina in straight sets. Her run in Tokyo therefore gives her another opportunity to turn a strong Asian swing into a title, and to add to her WTA Tour trophy collection. She is aiming for the seventh WTA Tour title of her career, according to the tournament coverage.
The Canadian entered the Tokyo semi-finals without having to play her scheduled quarter-final against Rybakina. The top seed withdrew because of a neck injury, handing Fernandez a walkover. Rybakina had secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking earlier in the tournament, making her withdrawal a significant change to the draw.
Who stands between Fernandez and the title?
Fernandez will meet either third seed Diana Shnaider or Slovak teenager Mia Pohankova in Sunday's final, scheduled for November 1. Shnaider reached the semi-finals after defeating Alexandra Eala in three sets, while Pohankova advanced with a straight-sets quarter-final win over Alycia Parks.
The two possible opponents offer different tests. Shnaider is an established presence near the top of the draw and entered Tokyo as the third seed. Pohankova, meanwhile, is a teenager who has reached the final four after coming through the tournament field as a wild card. Their semi-final will determine the last player standing between Fernandez and the title.
Fernandez's ability to respond after losing an early break could be important in the final. Her match against Rakhimova showed that she could remain composed when the scoreboard turned against her, then use her serve and return game to regain control. The final opponent and match-up will determine how those strengths are tested.
Tokyo continues a productive Asian swing
The Pan Pacific Open is a WTA 500 tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Tokyo. The 2026 edition runs from October 26 to November 1 and features a draw that includes several leading players from the women's tour. Fernandez's run has included a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens in the round of 16, followed by the quarter-final walkover and Saturday's semi-final victory.
Her progress has come during a busy stretch of the calendar. The Singapore title, Ningbo final and Tokyo final have given Fernandez consecutive deep runs in Asian events, with the Tokyo result ensuring she will play for a trophy again before the tour moves on from Japan.
The SportsLine angle
Fernandez's run is another example of how consistency across a tournament swing can create repeated opportunities to compete for titles. After winning in Singapore and finishing second in Ningbo, she has reached another final in Tokyo. For younger players following the WTA circuit, her response to early breaks against Rakhimova offers a practical lesson in staying engaged with a match rather than allowing a short run of lost points to decide the outcome.
The final on November 1 will determine whether Fernandez can convert her third championship appearance of the season into a second title. Whatever the result, her Tokyo campaign adds another significant week to a season that has included a trophy and multiple finals on the international tour.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Leylah Fernandez beat to reach the Pan Pacific Open final?
Leylah Fernandez defeated Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on October 31, 2026. Fernandez hit nine aces and recovered after falling a break behind in both sets to complete the straight-sets victory.
Who will Leylah Fernandez play in the Pan Pacific Open final?
Fernandez is scheduled to face the winner of the other semi-final between third seed Diana Shnaider and Slovak teenager Mia Pohankova. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, in Tokyo. The opponent was not yet determined at the time Fernandez secured her place.
How many finals has Leylah Fernandez reached in 2026?
The Tokyo championship match is Fernandez's third WTA final of the 2026 season. She won the Singapore Open in September and reached the final of the Ningbo Open the following week, where she lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets.
Why did Leylah Fernandez receive a walkover in the Pan Pacific Open quarter-final?
Fernandez advanced to the semi-finals after top seed Elena Rybakina withdrew from their quarter-final because of a neck injury. The withdrawal meant the two players did not contest the match, and Fernandez progressed by walkover.
What was the score in Fernandez's Pan Pacific Open semi-final?
Fernandez beat Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3. She recovered from an early break in each set, hit nine aces and closed out the match in just under two hours to reach the final of the WTA 500 tournament.