Elena Rybakina turned the tables in style at the Ningbo Open, overcoming a rocky start to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in Sunday’s final! 🎯 The Kazakh star’s comeback not only clinched her 10th career title but also turbocharged her chances of securing a spot at next month’s WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia. 🌍💪
Alexandrova stormed ahead early, dominating the first set with fierce forehands. But Rybakina, ranked World No. 9, flipped the script in the second set, delivering a ruthless 6-0 'bagel' 🥯 and never looked back. A decisive third-set surge sealed her second trophy of 2024!
🏆 What’s Next? Rybakina needs just a semifinal run at Tokyo’s Pan Pacific Open to edge out rising Russian teen Mirra Andreeva for the final WTA Finals slot. Already qualified? Powerhouses like Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff are locked in for Riyadh’s November showdown.
💬 Rybakina praised Alexandrova’s 'incredible season' and thanked her team for 'keeping [her] motivated through the grind.' With Tokyo on the horizon, she’s laser-focused: 'We’ll keep pushing for more!' 💥
