Elena Rybakina’s form has picked up just in time ahead of next month’s WTA Finals. The Kazakh won her second title of 2025 at the Ningbo Open last Sunday, October 19, beating fourth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in the title match. The 26-year-old has carried her rich vein of form into this week’s Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Having previously lost in the first round in Tokyo three years ago, the World No. 7 turned her fortunes at the WTA 500 tournament around by beating Japan Women’s Open titlist Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the second round following a first-round Bye. She then took her revenge on Victoria Mboko, who had overcome her in the National Bank Open semifinals in a close three-setter two months ago, coming through 6-3, 7-6(4) to book her place in the last four on Friday, October 24.
Linda Noskova, meanwhile, finished runner-up at the China Open earlier this month. However, the Czech has since failed to make deep runs at the Ningbo Open and the Japan Women’s Open, exiting in the Round of 16 and the Round of 32, respectively. Looking to make amends for her last few weeks’ form, the World No. 17 has improved her 1-1 record at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in inspiring fashion.
Having received a first-round Bye as the sixth seed, the 20-year-old first overcame a set deficit to beat USA’s McCartney Kessler 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. She then reached the semifinals in Tokyo unscathed as her opponent Anna Kalinskaya retired at 6-0, 1-0 down.
Elena Rybakina vs. Linda Noskova Match Details
Date: Oct. 25, 2025
Tournament: Toray Pan Pacific Open
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Tokyo, Japan
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel, Sky Sports
Rybakina vs. Noskova Head-to-Head
Rybakina holds a 3-0 edge over Noskova in their head-to-head meetings on the WTA Tour. The Kazakh didn’t drop a single set against her younger opponent in her wins at the 2023 French Open, the 2024 Brisbane International, and the 2025 Wuhan Open.
Rybakina vs. Noskova Prediction
Elena Rybakina has put together strong numbers on her serve as usual in Tokyo, winning nearly 77% of her first-serve points in her two victories this week. The second seed’s second-serve return, though, has been her biggest weapon during her campaign. She won 14 of her 15 second-return points against Mboko on Friday, which means Linda Noskova will have to be wary of any lapses in composure on her own service games.
Rybakina’s groundstrokes have also looked technically sound thus far and will likely match up well against Noskova’s shotmaking. The Czech, unlike her 6’0 opponent, relies more on her racket head-speed to generate pace on her shots. While Noskova certainly has the game to surprise fans with an upset victory, the Kazakh is likely to reach the summit clash at the Toray Pan Pacific Open based on her recent hardcourt form.
Prediction: Rybakina to win in three sets.
