Elena Rybakina continues her busy Asian Swing at the Japan Open, where she starts out against fellow Kazakhstan national Yulia Putintseva.

Rybakina is the top seed in Tokyo, and therefore begins her tournament in the second round after a first round bye. Meanwhile, Putintseva made it through qualifying to reach the main draw before winning her opener against Maria Sakkari.

WTA number one Rybakina recently claimed her first title at the summit of women’s tennis at the Ningbo Open, but that arrived after back-to-back setbacks. Alina Charaeva shocked Rybakina in her first match at the China Open, before the latter withdrew from the Wuhan Open with a foot injury, on which she has now issued an update.

Elena Rybakina issues fitness update at the Japan Open

Speaking to the media ahead of her first match at the Japan Open, the three-time Grand Slam champion said: “Well, I came to play in Ningbo and here in Tokyo to get better for the final eight. And I’m very happy with the title last week, and hopefully I can do well here too. Because after the US Open, I needed some time off and didn’t practise as much. But now I think I’m getting back to my… not best form, but getting better every day.”

She added: “After the US Open it was a lot of travel and of course it was a lot of emotions spent during the tournament, and I needed some time off. But at the same time, I was travelling quite a lot and was not able to practise. Also, my foot issues were still there. It’s on and off. Now it’s got better a bit, so that’s why the Beijing tournament wasn’t that successful for me. But after some rest and proper recovery and exercise for my body, now I feel better. So hopefully, again for the final eight, I’m going to get to my best form.”

Elena Rybakina one win away from year-end WTA number one

While Rybakina will be eager to enjoy more success at the Japan Open, she will undoubtedly prioritise a lengthier stay at the WTA Finals. She is among the eight players who have qualified for the year-end tournament, which is scheduled for Indian Wells next month.

She will certainly be under immense pressure at the WTA Finals, not only as the world number one but as the defending champion. However, she can gain huge confidence ahead of that tournament by winning a single match in Tokyo, which would guarantee Rybakina the year-end world number one spot for the first time in her career.

But she will definitely have a target on her back at Indian Wells, where the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will be looking to finish the season on a high. Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Linda Noskova, Elina Svitolina and Karolina Muchova complete the field. Two alternate spots will also be filled, but Iga Swiatek has ended her season early, meaning she won’t make the trip to the United States.