Home / Sports / Rybakina Advances to Ningbo Open Final, Keeps WTA Finals Hopes Alive
Rybakina Advances to Ningbo Open Final, Keeps WTA Finals Hopes Alive
18 Oct
Summary
- Rybakina defeats Paolini 6-3, 6-2 to reach Ningbo Open final
- Paolini's loss means final WTA Finals spot to be decided in Tokyo
- Rybakina fired 30 winners, including 10 aces, to win in 90 minutes
On October 18, 2025, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina secured her spot in the Ningbo Open final with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini. Rybakina's win keeps her hopes alive of qualifying for the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh next month.
Paolini had the opportunity to secure her ticket to the season-ending tournament with a win on Saturday, but Rybakina's powerful performance dashed those plans. The Russian-born Kazakh player fired 30 winners, including 10 aces, to win the match in just 90 minutes.
With Paolini's defeat, the battle for the final two spots at the WTA Finals will now be decided at next week's Pan-Pacific Open in Tokyo. Mirra Andreeva is also still in contention for one of those coveted positions.
"I knew the match was going to be very tough," said Rybakina after the win. "Jasmine has played really well this season, and she's a really tough opponent, so I knew I would need to bring my best. I'm happy I stayed focused until the end and won it in straight sets."
