Elena Rybakina retains Ningbo title, wins first trophy as world number one | Tennis
Elena Rybakina Retains Ningbo Open Title, Strengthens Bid for Year-End No. 1 Ranking
Published October 25, 2026
NINGBO, China — Elena Rybakina captured the Ningbo Open title on Sunday, defeating unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks Rybakina’s first tournament win as the world’s top-ranked player, just ahead of the WTA Finals scheduled for next month.
The triumph adds to an impressive season for Rybakina, who previously secured titles at the Australian Open and the US Open. Her dominant performance against Fernandez propelled her closer to clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Rybakina, the top seed in the tournament, broke through in the fifth game of the opening set, showcasing her renowned power with a crosscourt backhand winner that put her ahead 4-2. She wrapped up the first set in a swift 38 minutes.
Although Fernandez, ranked 30th in the world, started the second set positively, Rybakina quickly regained control. After breaking Fernandez’s serve for a 2-1 lead, Rybakina cruised to victory without losing momentum.
The win serves as a crucial morale boost for Rybakina following earlier setbacks in Beijing and Wuhan. She is next scheduled to compete at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week, before defending her title at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, beginning November 8.
