Rybakina Beats Shnaider to Claim Second Straight Ningbo Title Shot
The world number one defeated the sixth seed 6-3, 7-5 to set up a final against unseeded Leylah Fernandez on Sunday.
By Tyler Khalil ·
The WTA tour’s top player has positioned herself to repeat as champion in China after a hard-fought semifinal win. Elena Rybakina defeated Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in Ningbo.
Rybakina arrived in the eastern Chinese city following a rough patch. She sustained a heavy loss in Beijing and subsequently pulled out of the Wuhan event due to a foot injury. The 27-year-old, who holds the Australian and US Open titles, had to recover her form against the 13th-ranked Shnaider.
The match featured a recurring pattern for the two players. Rybakina started with aggressive play but faced difficulty converting opportunities. She took the first set on her 11th set point after a mid-set dip in performance. The second set mirrored this struggle, with Rybakina breaking serve to lead 4-3 before facing a break point in the 10th game.
Shnaider’s left-handed style created specific challenges for the world number one. Rybakina noted that switching patterns during rallies against left-handers is a common hurdle on the tour. She managed to overcome these issues by serving more confidently in the final games to secure the victory.
Rybakina will face unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez in Sunday’s final. Fernandez earned her berth by defeating Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic by the identical score of 6-3, 7-5 in the earlier semifinal. The matchup presents a similar tactical test for the defending champion, as Fernandez also plays left-handed.
The final is scheduled for Sunday at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre. A win would give Rybakina consecutive titles at this event. She is expected to use the match to refine her game before traveling to Tokyo for the Pan Pacific Open next week.
Following the Ningbo conclusion, Rybakina will begin her defense of the WTA Finals title at Indian Wells. That tournament kicks off on November 8. Rybakina described the path to a back-to-back victory as difficult, stating she will fight and give her all in the final.
