Rybakina finds Ningbo spark again ahead of WTA Finals title defence

Elena Rybakina, the world number one tennis player, reclaimed the Ningbo Open title on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in her season. Her victory in Chinese city of Ningbo, where she started playing exceptionally well last year, demonstrated her improved form ahead of the WTA Finals. This success comes after she overcame her first defeat as world number one in Beijing and missed Wuhan due to injury.

Rybakina, who expressed her gratitude in a statement, said it was her first time defending a title and that the experience was a great achievement. She noted that Ningbo had a special significance for her, as she began to perform exceptionally well from this tournament last year. Reflecting on her recent form, Rybakina acknowledged that she had previously struggled in finals, losing nine of her first 13.

However, she now has won 11 of her last 15, attributing her recent success to experience clicking in crucial moments. Rybakina's journey this year has been remarkable, with her securing the last spot in the eight-player WTA Finals field shortly after Ningbo. She concluded the season by winning the Australian Open and US Open titles, further solidifying her position as a top-tier player.

Now, she is set to participate in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo followed by the November 8-15 WTA Finals in Indian Wells, where she won all her matches last year, earning over $5 million in prize money.