Elena Rybakina defends Ningbo Open title over Leylah Fernandez
- Elena Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 to successfully defend her Ningbo Open title on Sunday, claiming her first trophy since earning the world No.
- The top-ranked Rybakina dropped just four games against the 30th-ranked Fernandez, saving all four break points she faced during the match.
- The victory pushes Rybakina's career record at the Ningbo Open to 8-0, following her previous title run in last season's final against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Elena Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 to successfully defend her Ningbo Open title on Sunday, claiming her first trophy since earning the world No. 1 ranking earlier this year.
Rybakina Defeats Fernandez in Ningbo Final
The top-ranked Rybakina dropped just four games against the 30th-ranked Fernandez, saving all four break points she faced during the match. She sealed the straight-sets victory by hitting a forehand winner on her first match point.
The victory pushes Rybakina’s career record at the Ningbo Open to 8-0, following her previous title run in last season’s final against Ekaterina Alexandrova. The triumph marks her tour-leading fourth title of the year, adding to her trophies from the Australian Open, Stuttgart, and the U.S. Open, bringing her career total to 15 titles.
Rebounding From Setbacks in Beijing and Wuhan
The victory in Ningbo follows Rybakina’s opening-match exit at the China Open. After moving past Aryna Sabalenka into the top spot in the rankings following the U.S. Open, Rybakina suffered a defeat to 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva in her opening match in Beijing.
2026 SINGLES NINGBO OPEN CHAMPION… ELENA RYBAKINA 🐠👸🏼 pic.twitter.com/1hD2XZNWOy
Fernandez entered the final as a former U.S. Open finalist from 2021, but she could not break through Rybakina’s defense. Rybakina maintained control throughout the contest to secure the trophy.
Upcoming Schedule in Tokyo and Indian Wells
Following her success in Ningbo, Rybakina is scheduled to travel to Japan for the Pan Pacific Open. She will then prepare to launch her title defense at the season finale in Indian Wells, which begins on November 8.