Rybakina Beats Shnaider to Reach Ningbo Final
Defending Ningbo Open champion Elena Rybakina overcame Russian sixth seed Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-final on Saturday to reach another title clash. The Rybakina Ningbo final will be played on Sunday against unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in the eastern Chinese city.
Fernandez reached the final by beating Czech Marie Bouzkova by the same 6-3, 7-5 scoreline in the earlier semi-final. The world number one will now defend her Ningbo title and sharpen her form ahead of next month’s WTA Finals.
A semi-final of two halves
Rybakina, the Australian and US Open champion, arrived for her title defence after a bruising defeat in Beijing and a foot injury that forced her out of Wuhan. She showed flashes of her best form despite a few wobbles against the 13th-ranked Shnaider.
“She (Shnaider) played really well and it’s always difficult to play against left-handers. We don’t have so many on the tour,” said Rybakina, who faces a similar test against Fernandez.
“I needed some time. The returns were not as bad but during the rallies to switch the pattern was a little bit of an issue for me, but I’m happy I managed to win in two sets.”
An aggressive start with powerful winners from deep helped the three-times Grand Slam winner take full control of the opening frame, which she sealed on her 11th set point after a sudden dip in form.
“It was an important game and it was a long one,” added the top-seeded Rybakina. “It was on my serve and it was a struggle. I was playing the first balls really well but I couldn’t close the game, so many opportunities, but I’m glad it went my way. She played some great shots and great rallies.”
The 27-year-old continued to struggle with the accuracy of her first serve in the next set, but won the crucial points and carved out a 4-3 advantage with a break, only to be broken to love in the 10th game. Rybakina responded strongly to get her nose in front again in the next game with some big hitting, before closing out the victory with a much more assured display on serve.
What the Rybakina Ningbo final means
Rybakina reached the semi-final by beating Katarzyna Kawa, as covered in our report on Rybakina reaching the Ningbo semi-final. The win over Shnaider keeps her title defence on track and gives her a final against another left-hander in Fernandez.
“It’s never easy,” Rybakina said about winning back-to-back trophies at the Ningbo Open. “Of course I’ll try to do my best. I’m going to fight and give my all tomorrow.”
After Ningbo, she will turn her attention to the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week and then launch her WTA Finals title defence at Indian Wells from November 8. A second straight Ningbo title would send her into that run with confidence restored after the Beijing defeat and the Wuhan withdrawal.
Elsewhere in sport, Ronaldo celebrated a disputed 982nd career goal in Al Nassr’s win, Leclerc topped second practice at the United States Grand Prix, Mourinho returned for the Clasico showdown as Real Madrid targeted Barcelona, and Bayern Munich confirmed Kompany is stable in hospital and out for weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Who does Rybakina face in the Ningbo final?
Leylah Fernandez of Canada, who beat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semi-final.
What was the score in the Rybakina semi-final?
Rybakina beat Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5 at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in Ningbo.
What comes next for Rybakina after Ningbo?
She will play the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week and then defend her WTA Finals title at Indian Wells from November 8.
Source: Geo Super.
