Elena Rybakina silenced doubters and reclaimed her momentum by defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to successfully defend her Ningbo Open title. The victory marks a crucial turnaround for the Kazakhstan star, who had suffered a shocking first-round exit at the China Open against 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva immediately after surpassing Aryna Sabalenka to claim the world No. 1 ranking. By securing this trophy, Rybakina has claimed her first title since ascending to the top of the WTA rankings, effectively ending a brief period of inconsistency that followed her U.S. Open triumph.
World No. 1 snaps post-US Open slump with dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory
The match showcased Rybakina’s elite level of composure and tactical precision against the 30th-ranked Fernandez, a former U.S. Open finalist. Rybakina dominated the baseline exchange, saving all four break points she faced throughout the two-set contest. Her ability to neutralize Fernandez’s aggressive forehand play allowed the world No. 1 to control the pace, culminating in a decisive forehand winner on her first match point to close out the affair in under an hour.
This victory extends Rybakina’s perfect record at the Ningbo Open to 8-0, adding to her impressive 2024 haul. The win secures her fourth title of the season, joining her victories at the Australian Open, Stuttgart, and the U.S. Open, while bringing her career total to 15 major trophies. With her form now restored, Rybakina enters the latter stages of the season with renewed confidence and a solidified grip on the top spot in the world.
Source: Yahoo Sports
