Elena Rybakina has solidified her pursuit of a spot in the WTA Finals as she showcased an impressive performance against Jasmine Paolini, claiming victory with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 scoreline. This win not only propelled Rybakina into the final of the WTA 500 2025 AUX Ningbo Open but also enhanced her chances of qualification for the prestigious event in Riyadh. In the final, she is set to face Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated Diana Shnaider in the other semi-final, with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
Following her win, Rybakina acknowledged the challenge posed by her opponent. “I knew the match would be very tough. Jasmine has played really well this season. She’s a tough opponent, and I needed to bring my best,” she stated, reflecting on the match’s intensity. “I’m happy I stayed focused until the end and won in straight sets.”
With Rybakina’s win, the battle for the final singles spot in the WTA Finals intensifies, particularly following the release of the Tokyo draw. It was confirmed that Mirra Andreeva would not participate, making it clear that her chances of earning further points are gone. This leaves just one spot open, which will be contested in Tokyo between Rybakina and Andreeva. Specifically, Rybakina must clinch the title in Ningbo and reach the semi-finals in Tokyo to guarantee her place, while a loss in the final could effectively hand the spot to Andreeva, unless she wins the Tokyo tournament.
Rybakina has previous experience in finals held in China, having reached two in the past but falling short in both efforts back in 2019 and 2020. This marks her first time advancing to the championship match at the Ningbo Open.
In a matchup characterized by tightly contested games, both players maintained serve for the initial stretch. Rybakina, however, ultimately seized the advantage after a protracted game that featured multiple deuces and break points. Although Paolini had opportunities to respond, Rybakina’s prevailing force led her to close out the first set efficiently.
The second set witnessed Rybakina’s dominance escalate, as she swiftly took control of the match. After an initial struggle at 2-2, she found her rhythm, stringing together five consecutive game wins that underscored her relentless effort.
Rybakina’s path to the final has certainly demonstrated her prowess, having already dispatched formidable opponents such as Dayana Yastremska and Ajla Tomljanovic earlier in the tournament. Presently, she leads the tour in several serving metrics, confirming her status as a top server this season.
In her upcoming showdown against Alexandrova, whom she trails in their head-to-head history with a 3-1 record, Rybakina will be eager to secure her 10th career title, her fifth at the WTA 500 level, and her second title of the season. For Alexandrova, who also looks to turn around her recent finals results, this clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as both players aim for a significant victory before heading into the Tokyo Open next week.
