Rybakina retains Ningbo Open title with win over Fernandez

Elena Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 in the Ningbo Open final on Sunday, retaining her title and collecting her fourth tournament win of the season. The match lasted 73 minutes. The top-seeded Rybakina controlled the final against Fernandez, the world No. 30 from Canada. She broke through in the first set and built a 4-2 lead with a crosscourt backhand winner before closing the set 6-2. Fernandez began the second set strongly, but Rybakina broke for a 2-1 advantage and maintained control to complete the straight-sets victory. The win was Rybakina’s 15th career title, according to reports of the result, and her first successful defence of a WTA Tour singles title, according to tournament coverage. She had also won the Australian Open, Stuttgart Open and US Open in 2026. Her Ningbo victory made her the season’s leading player by WTA Tour titles, one ahead of Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva, who had three each. Rybakina said the crowd’s support gave her motivation and energy. She described Ningbo as a special place after winning there for a second consecutive year. Fernandez congratulated Rybakina and said her team was having a good end to the year and should...