Karolína Muchová locked up the last qualifying spot for the 2026 WTA Finals on Wednesday without even stepping onto the court. The world No. 7 punched her ticket to Indian Wells after Marta Kostyuk retired from her second-round match at the 2026 Ningbo Open, trailing Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 after one set when she pulled out due to injury.
Marta Kostyuk's Injury Opens Door for Karolína Muchová
Kostyuk has been managing a right wrist problem that kept her out of the China Open earlier this month, and a first-round loss in Wuhan last week left the No. 3 seed with almost no margin. She entered the week 815 points behind Muchová in the WTA standings race, meaning only a run to the Ningbo final would have kept her hopes alive.
With that door now closed, Muchová will head to Indian Wells for her first career year-end championship when the 2026 WTA Finals begin November 8th.
Muchová 's Strong Season to End in Indian Wells
The 30-year-old Czech has built a strong case all season, picking up hardware at Doha and Bad Homburg while reaching the Wimbledon final. She joins Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina, and Linda Nosková in the eight-player field.
