Top-ranked Rybakina avoids an upset against qualifier Kawa at Ningbo Open as Jovic beaten

NINGBO, China — Top-ranked tennis player Elena Rybakina deflected a potential upset against qualifier Katarzyna Kawa in the quarterfinals of the Ningbo Open on Friday. The match concluded with Rybakina prevailing 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, securing a spot in the semifinals against Diana Shnaider to defend her Ningbo title. Kawa, ranked 128th, had recently upset Belinda Bencic and was poised for another upset, breaking Rybakina's serve three times in the second set.

In the other quarterfinal, Diana Shnaider triumphed over fourth-seeded American Iva Jovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, setting up a potential repeat of their 2023 semifinal encounter. The other semifinal match will see Canada's Leylah Fernandez face Czech player Marie Bouzkova. Fernandez, who reached her second tour semifinal in 2026, defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Bouzkova triumphed over fellow Czech Sara Bejlek 6-3, 6-4. Earlier in the week, Karolina Muchova secured her place at the WTA Finals after Marta Kostyuk withdrew due to wrist pain and Iga Swiatek withdrew with a thigh injury.