WTA Tour
Elena Rybakina kept her Ningbo Open title on Sunday, beating Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 in 76 minutes. The world No. 1 broke twice in each set and did not lose her serve in the final. It is the 15th title of her career and her fourth of 2026, more than any other player this season.
A Fourth Title of 2026
Rybakina has now won the Australian Open, Stuttgart, the US Open and Ningbo this year, and her 53 match wins in 2026 are the most on the WTA Tour. She became world No. 1 after the US Open in September, and Ningbo is her first title since reaching the top of the rankings. She also won the event in 2025, beating Mirra Andreeva in that final.
Her Route to the Title
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Second round | Polina Kudermetova | 5-0, retired |
| Quarter-finals | Katarzyna Kawa | 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 |
| Semi-finals | Diana Shnaider (6) | 6-3, 7-5 |
| Final | Leylah Fernandez | 6-2, 6-2 |
As the top seed she had a bye into the second round. Kawa, a qualifier, was the only player to take a set from her all week.
Fernandez’s Run
Fernandez, ranked No. 30, was playing the 10th final of her career, a month after winning the title in Singapore. She came through three-set matches against the No. 7 seed Elise Mertens (2-6, 6-3, 7-5), Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Ekaterina Alexandrova, then beat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-finals.
What Comes Next
Rybakina is on the entry list for the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, which starts today, as the top seed. The season ends with the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from 8 to 15 November. Her next match page follows her schedule.
FAQ
Ningbo Open 2026 Final FAQs
Who won the Ningbo Open 2026?
Elena Rybakina, who beat Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 in the final on 25 October.
How many titles has Rybakina won in 2026?
Four: the Australian Open, Stuttgart, the US Open and Ningbo. No other player has won more this season.
How many career titles does Rybakina have?
Ningbo is the 15th tour-level title of her career.
Did Rybakina win Ningbo last year?
Yes. She won the 2025 edition, beating Mirra Andreeva in the final, so she has now won the event in both of her appearances.
Where does Rybakina play next?
She is entered in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week, before the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from 8 to 15 November.
More Coverage
See Elena Rybakina‘s profile, the WTA rankings and the 2026 tennis calendar for the rest of the season.