Rybakina breaks through 11 set points to claim back-to-back Ningbo final berth

Elena Rybakina converted her 11th set point in the first set to secure a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Diana Shnaider at the Ningbo Open.

The result advances the world number one to Sunday's final, where she will defend her title against unseeded Leylah Fernandez. This marks Rybakina's second consecutive appearance in the tournament's championship match.

Rybakina arrived in Ningbo after a challenging run that included a heavy loss in Beijing and a withdrawal from Wuhan due to a foot injury. Against the 13th-ranked Shnaider, the two-time Grand Slam winner displayed powerful hitting from deep in the court, though she required significant effort to close out the initial set.

The second set mirrored the first, with Rybakina struggling with first-serve accuracy before breaking serve to take a 4-3 lead. Shnaider broke back in the 10th game, but Rybakina reclaimed the advantage with aggressive returns and steady serving to finish the match. Both players are left-handed, a factor Rybakina noted created technical challenges during rallies.

Fernandez earned her place in the final by defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre. The Canadian's left-handed style presents a similar tactical puzzle for Rybakina, who has previously noted the difficulty of switching patterns against left-handers on the tour.

Following the Ningbo Open, Rybakina plans to compete in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week. She will subsequently begin the defense of her WTA Finals title at Indian Wells on November 8. Rybakina described the upcoming final as a test of resolve, stating she would fight and give her all for the chance to add another trophy to her collection.

The semifinal matches took place on Friday, setting the stage for the decisive contest on Sunday. The Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in the eastern Chinese city hosted the events, with the top two seeds from the draw now eliminated in the semifinals.