Yulia Putintseva fell to compatriot Elena Rybakina at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, a result that sealed the year-end WTA No. 1 ranking for Rybakina. Afterwards, Rybakina said Putintseva is always a tough opponent to face.
Rybakina praised Putintseva's fighting spirit, calling their matches "always difficult."
The Tokyo win locked in Rybakina's place at the top of the year-end WTA rankings.
Highlights of the WTA 500 clash between the two Kazakh players are available to watch.
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