Elena Rybakina has solidified her dominance in women’s tennis by defending her Ningbo Open title, a victory that further cements her lead in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. On October 26, 2026, Rybakina triumphed in the final against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win in China.
This victory has increased Rybakina’s ranking points from 9,196 to 9,501, extending her lead over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who holds 7,550 points. The triumph in Ningbo, part of a tournament featuring a total singles prize pool of $1.206 million, awarded Rybakina $185,000 as the champion.
Since turning professional in 2016, Rybakina has made significant strides in the sport, becoming one of the leading figures in women’s tennis. Her career highlights include winning Wimbledon in 2022, the WTA Finals in 2025, and both the Australian Open and US Open in 2026.
Rybakina’s consistent performance and recent victories highlight her prowess on the international tennis circuit, reinforcing her status as a formidable competitor in the sport.