Rybakina Survives Kawa Scare to Reach Ningbo Open Semi-Finals
World number one Elena Rybakina survived a stern challenge from qualifier Katarzyna Kawa to reach the Ningbo Open semi-finals and keep her title defence alive. The Rybakina Ningbo Open semi-final was secured with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 win at the Yinzhou Tennis Center on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Rybakina recovered from a second-set setback to beat the Polish qualifier and set up a last-four clash with sixth seed Diana Shnaider. The top seed made a dominant start, lost her way in the second set, then regained control in the decider.
Rybakina Ningbo Open semi-final: how the match turned
Rybakina started well and took the first set 6-1, with her serve working and her groundstrokes landing cleanly. Kawa, ranked 128th in the world, then broke Rybakina’s serve three times in the second set to level the match at one set each.
The qualifier had entered the contest full of confidence after defeating Belinda Bencic in the previous round, and she threatened another upset before Rybakina steadied herself.
“I actually started pretty well,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview. “Everything was going in. The serve was working. Then in the second set I dropped a little bit. There was not enough energy on the serve, some mistakes here and there, and very cold games. Also, she played really well a few moments, so it changed in the second set pretty quickly.”
“But I’m happy that in the third set I stayed aggressive and kept on playing my game,” she added.
Shnaider awaits in the last four
Shnaider booked her place in the semi-finals with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory over fourth seed American Iva Jovic. That result sets up a meeting between the top seed and the sixth seed, with a place in the final at stake.
For Rybakina, the defence of her Ningbo title is now two wins from completion. Her path has tested her patience as much as her power, and the Kawa match showed both sides of her game: the dominant first set, the dip in the second, and the composed response in the third.
Top players often face their hardest tests from qualifiers with nothing to lose, and Kawa played with freedom in the second set. Rybakina’s answer was to stay aggressive rather than retreat, a choice that paid off as the decider moved her way.
Why the result matters for the season’s run-in
As world number one, Rybakina carries the weight of expectation into every event, and a title defence adds to that pressure. Reaching the semi-finals keeps her season on track and gives her another chance to add a trophy late in the year.
Her serve remains her main weapon, and when it works, as it did in the first and third sets, few opponents can live with her pace. When it dips, as in the second set, matches open up, and that is the area her rivals will target in the semi-final and beyond.
Shnaider, for her part, has shown she can win tight three-set matches, and her win over Jovic will give her confidence. The semi-final should test Rybakina’s movement and patience as much as her serve.
Sport has delivered a run of fast-moving stories this week. Bukayo Saka’s injury has worried Arsenal fans, Jose Mourinho is back for the Clasico, Bayern Munich have updated fans on Vincent Kompany’s hospital stay, and South Africa have lost Anrich Nortje for the deciding Test against Australia. Ningbo now adds a tennis chapter, with Rybakina one win from the final.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Rybakina’s Ningbo quarter-final?
Rybakina beat Katarzyna Kawa 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals.
Who will Rybakina play in the Ningbo semi-final?
Sixth seed Diana Shnaider, who beat fourth seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
What did Rybakina say about the second set?
She said her serve and energy levels dipped, Kawa played well at key moments, and the set changed quickly.
Is Rybakina defending the Ningbo title?
Yes, she is the defending champion and world number one, and the win keeps her title defence alive.
