Rybakina Retains Title at Ningbo Open

World number one Elena Rybakina won the Ningbo Open in Ningbo, China, beating Leylah Fernandez in two sets to claim her second straight title there. The final ended 6-2, 6-2.

Rybakina reached the title for the first time since becoming world number one this year. The Kazakhstan-born player now has the most titles on the WTA Tour this season, with four. The trophy adds to her wins at the Australian Open, Stuttgart and the US Open. Her career total rises to 15 titles.

Rybakina won all eight of her matches in Ningbo over her career. After beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in last season's final, she did not allow her opponent any of her four break chances this year.

Against Fernandez, world number 30, Rybakina gave up none of the four break points she faced. She closed out the match with a forehand on one of her first match points.

The world number one appears to have regained her form after disappointing results in Beijing and Wuhan. This week she will play at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She will defend her title at Indian Wells, the season's final tournament, which begins on November 8.