NINGBO : World number one Elena Rybakina retained her Ningbo Open title on Sunday, reviving memories of the tournament that transformed her season last year as she prepares to defend her crown at the WTA Finals next month.
The Kazakh defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-2 in the final, building momentum after losing her opening match as world number one in Beijing and missing the Wuhan Open because of injury.
Rybakina’s victory in Ningbo last year proved a turning point, helping her secure the final qualifying spot for the eight-player WTA Finals, where she went on to win the season-ending championship.
The 27-year-old carried that form into 2026, capturing the Australian Open title in January before claiming her third Grand Slam crown at the U.S. Open last month.
“It’s the first time I’ve defended a title, so it’s a great achievement,” Rybakina told the WTA website.
“Ningbo is already a special place. Last year I started to play really well from this tournament. Hopefully it’s going to give me motivation and good energy to continue this season and start the next one.”
After losing nine of her first 13 finals, Rybakina has now won 11 of her last 15 title matches. Sunday’s triumph was her fourth title of the year and the 15th of her career.
“I remember I was getting upset always losing in finals,” she said. “Now it’s going my way, but I can’t expect it all the time … now it’s experience clicking in important moments.”
Rybakina will compete at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week before travelling to Indian Wells for the WTA Finals, scheduled for November 8-15.
She will seek to defend the title she won unbeaten last year, earning more than $5 million in prize money.
