Elena Rybakina beats Leylah Fernandez to retain Ningbo Open title on October 25, 2026

Elena Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final of the Ningbo Open 2026 in Ningbo on October 25, 2026, winning in straight sets; the match lasted one hour and 16 minutes.

The victory was Rybakina’s first title as the World No. 1 and her 15th career singles crown, giving her a fourth trophy in 2026 after victories at the Australian Open, Stuttgart and the US Open. It was the first time she has successfully defended a WTA Tour singles title and her second Ningbo trophy, remaining undefeated at this event.

Fernandez led 2-1 early in the first set before Rybakina won five games in a row from 1-2 down to take the opener; the second set followed a similar sequence of games. Rybakina sealed the title by hitting her 24th winner to finish the match.

The title capped a week that began with questions over Rybakina’s fitness: she had lost her opening-round match in Beijing and missed the Wuhan Open because of a foot injury. Those earlier setbacks were noted in coverage of her run in Ningbo.

Fernandez entered the week on the back of a tournament win in Singapore nearly a month earlier, began the Ningbo week ranked No. 30 and will rise to No. 23 following her run to the final. She finished the Ningbo event as the losing finalist.

As the defending champion at the WTA 500 event, Rybakina received $185,500 (₹1.76 crore) in prize money; Fernandez earned $114,500 (₹1.09 crore) as the runner-up. The doubles champions, Krawczyk and Stollar, were awarded $61,540 (₹58.43 lakh) in prize money.

Rybakina’s performance in Ningbo arrives ahead of the WTA Finals, set to be held in Indian Wells this year, which she will approach following this title defence.