Top-ranked Rybakina crushes Fernandez to win fourth title of season

In Ningbo, world number one Elena Rybakina secured her fourth title of an illustrious season with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Leylah Fernandez in the Ningbo Open final. The Australian and US Open champion, who holds the top seed ranking, claimed her 15th WTA crown, making significant strides towards securing the year-end number-one position.

Rybakina expressed her gratitude to the crowd, stating that playing in front of them daily fuels her motivation and energy. The Kazakh player, who missed the Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, broke Fernandez's serve early in the first set and maintained her advantage on Fernandez's serve, progressing to 5-2. After a brief pause at the net, Rybakina continued her relentless assault, breaking Fernandez once more to clinch the set at love.

Fernandez, aiming for her second title in two months, was broken again in the second set, leaving her with little resistance. Rybakina seized the opportunity, grabbing a 2-1 lead in the second set, and ultimately sealed the match on her championship point.