Sports · Tennis · 2 hrs ago
Rybakina beats Fernandez to defend Ningbo Open title
Elena Rybakina beat Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 in the Ningbo Open final in China on Sunday.
The win defended Rybakina’s title at the tournament, where she has now won all eight of her matches.
It was her first trophy since becoming world No.
1 after the US Open.
Rybakina moved ahead of Aryna Sabalenka for the top ranking, then lost her opening match at the China Open to Alina Charaeva, who was ranked 118th.
The Ningbo victory was her fourth title of the year and 15th of her career.
She saved all four break points she faced against Fernandez, a 2021 US Open finalist.
Rybakina is due to play in Tokyo next, before beginning her title defence at the season finale in Indian Wells on November 8.
Elena Rybakina beat Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 to defend her Ningbo Open title.
The victory was Rybakina’s first title since she became world No. 1 after the US Open.
She won her fourth WTA Tour title of 2026 and the 15th title of her career.
Rybakina saved all four break points she faced and won the final in 77 minutes, Marca reported.
She improved her career record at the Ningbo Open to 8-0.
- Who
- Elena Rybakina beat Leylah Fernandez in the final.
- What
- Rybakina won the Ningbo Open title for a second consecutive year.
- When
- Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Ningbo, China.
- Why
- The match decided the Ningbo Open women’s singles title; Rybakina’s win secured her first title since becoming world No. 1.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rybakina moved past Aryna Sabalenka into the world No. 1 ranking.
Rybakina lost her opening match to Alina Charaeva, ranked 118th.
Rybakina beat Fernandez in the Ningbo Open final to defend her title.
- Final score
- Rybakina defeated Fernandez 6-2, 6-2
- Match duration
- 77 minutes, according to Marca
- Titles in 2026
- Four WTA Tour titles
- Career titles
- 15
- Ningbo record
- 8-0
- Fernandez ranking
- 30th, according to Sky Sports and ESPN
4 sources
What people are saying
It’s already my second year here, second win. It’s such a special place for me.
Es mi segundo año aquí y segunda victoria. Es un lugar muy especial para mí
An extremely dominant display from the world number one