Elena Rybakina is the champion in Ningbo once again.
Rybakina, who recently snatched the world number one ranking from Aryna Sabalenka, wasted little time in defeating former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in Sunday’s final.
The Russian-born Kazakhstani triumphed 6-2, 6-2 on Centre Court, becoming the first player in tournament history to win back-to-back titles.
“An extremely dominant display from the world number one,” a member of the Sky Sports commentary team said post-match.
Rybakina reacted to her Ningbo Open triumph in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s contest.
Elena Rybakina sets new season record after winning the Ningbo Open
Elena Rybakina has now won four WTA Tour events this year.
The 27-year-old won her first at the Australian Open after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final.
Three months later, Rybakina snagged her second title, winning the Stuttgart Open.
Rybakina would have to wait a further five months before winning her third WTA event of 2026. However, the triumph was well worth the wait, as she overcame the challenge of Sabalenka once again to win the US Open for the first time in her storied career.
Sunday’s triumph in Ningbo marked Rybakina’s fourth WTA Tour triumph of this year.
With victory in the Chinese port city, Rybakina now leads all other WTA players in WTA Tour title wins this year, moving one tournament victory ahead of Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva.
| Player | Tournaments won in 2026 |
| Elena Rybakina | Australian Open, Stuttgart Open, US Open, Ningbo Open [4] |
| Aryna Sabalenka | Brisbane International, Indian Wells, Miami Open [3] |
| Mirra Andreeva | Adelaide International, Linz Open, Roland Garros [3] |
Elena Rybakina reacts to winning the Ningbo Open
“Hello everyone. I want to congratulate Leylah with a great week,” Rybakina said during her post-match speech on Sunday. “A lot of tough matches and tough wins. Congratulations to you and your team.
“Good luck for the rest of the year.
Elena Rybakina’s path to the Ningbo Open title
- R16: defeated Polina Kudermetova 5-0 [RETIRED]
- QF: defeated Katarzyna Kawa 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
- SF: defeated Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5
- F: defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2
“I’d like to say thank you to my team. Most of them are back home supporting and watching. Thank you so much guys. And thank you to Stas for staying with me this week and supporting each match.”
“Thank you to my family, friends, sponsors. And all of you guys, thank you so much for an amazing atmosphere every day, it’s amazing to play in front of you. It always gives a lot of motivation, a lot of energy to keep on playing.
“It’s already my second year here, second win. It’s such a special place for me. Thank you so much Ningbo. Xiexie [thank you].”
The only other player to successfully defend the Ningbo Open title
As mentioned already, Rybakina is now the sole player to win back-to-back titles in the Ningbo Open Women’s Singles event.
Lu Yen-hsun, the Taiwanese former world number 33, is the only other player to successfully defend their title in China.
Yen-hsun, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, won consecutive Ningbo Open titles from 2015 to 2016, beating Jürgen Zopp and Hiroki Moriya in the respective finals.
The Taiwanese player also won the title in 2011, beating Zopp in the final once again.
With three titles to his name, Yen-hsun remains the most successful player in Ningbo Open history.