World number one Elena Rybakina retained her Ningbo Open title with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in Sunday’s final in China.
The top-seeded Kazakh needed just two sets to defeat the world number 30, claiming her fourth title of the season and 15th WTA Tour singles crown.
Rybakina dominated the opening set, using her powerful groundstrokes to pressure Fernandez before breaking serve to take a 5-2 lead and closing out the set.
She maintained control in the second set, breaking Fernandez to lead 2-1. The Canadian had two break points in the fourth game, but Rybakina saved both before breaking again to move 5-2 ahead.
Rybakina sealed the title on her first match point with a powerful forehand, becoming the first player to successfully defend the Ningbo Open crown.
The defeat ended Fernandez’s bid for a second title in as many months after her September triumph in Singapore. Rybakina’s victory also strengthens her bid to finish the season as world number one ahead of the WTA Finals.
