Rybakina claims her 10th career title in Ningbo
Elena Rybakina won the tournament on Sunday against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Elena Rybakina, Ningbo 2025 – © Imago / Psnewz
Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 3 seed, lifted the Ningbo Open trophy by defeating Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, the No 4 seed, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 at the Yinzhou Tennis Center on Sunday.
It’s the tenth title of her career, and the second in 2025 following her triumph in Strasbourg last May. Currently ninth in the Race, Elena Rybakina remains firmly in contention for a spot at the WTA Finals thanks to this Sunday’s victory. She now heads to Tokyo, where she must reach at least the semifinals to overtake Mirra Andreeva for the final spot.
Yet the Kazakh didn’t get off to the best start. Struggling with her serve in the opening set, the world No. 9 faltered on both break points she faced and failed to convert her only opportunity. Ekaterina Alexandrova logically took the first set 6-3.
RYBAKINA TO MOVE UP TWO SPOTS IN THE RANKINGS
Rybakina’s response was emphatic. The 26-year-old raised her level dramatically and gave her opponent no chance. She swept through the second set 6-0 and broke Alexandrova early in the decider to lead 3-0.
The Russian managed to avoid a double bagel by winning two games, but she couldn’t turn the match around. With one final break, Elena Rybakina secured her second title of the 2025 season. She will rise to world No. 7 in the next WTA rankings.
“Thank you so much to my team for always pushing me to be better,” Rybakina said during the trophy presentation. “Especially at the end of the season, it’s not easy, but without you I would not be here. So, thanks again, and hopefully we can push a little more next week.”
Ahead of her victory, Rybakina, ranked No 9, beat Italian Jasmine Paolini, the second seed (6-3, 6-2), Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic (6-2, 6-0) and Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3).
Alexandrova, ranked No 10, defeated No 7 seed Diana Shnaider (6-3, 6-4), American McCartney Kessler (6-3, 6-3) and Chinese wildcard Yue Yuan (6-3, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.
