Rybakina Dominates Paolini to Advance to Ningbo Open Final

Elena Rybakina secured her place in the final of the Ningbo Open on October 7, 2023, after a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini. This win not only highlights Rybakina’s impressive form but also keeps her hopes alive for qualifying for the upcoming WTA Finals.

The match was pivotal for Paolini, who could have clinched her spot in next month’s season finale in Riyadh with a win. Instead, her defeat means that the race for the last two qualifying positions will continue at the Pan-Pacific Open in Tokyo next week, where Mirra Andreeva remains in contention as well.

Rybakina’s Performance Shines

Rybakina entered the semi-final with a challenging history against Paolini, having lost their last two encounters. Nonetheless, she displayed exceptional skill and strategy, utilizing her powerful serve and groundstrokes effectively to secure victory in just 90 minutes. Throughout the match, Rybakina recorded 30 winners, including an impressive 10 aces, and successfully saved all seven break points she faced.

After the match, Rybakina reflected on her performance, acknowledging the difficulty of the matchup. “I knew the match was going to be very tough,” she stated. “Jasmine has played really well this season and she’s a really tough opponent, so I knew I would need to bring my best. I’m happy I stayed focused until the end and won it in straight sets.” This victory improves Rybakina’s head-to-head record against Paolini to 3-3.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Rybakina advances to her second final of the season, where she will face either Diana Shnaider or Ekaterina Alexandrova. This upcoming match will be crucial as Rybakina aims to solidify her position in the rankings and secure a spot in the prestigious WTA Finals.

As the tournament progresses, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the Pan-Pacific Open, where both Paolini and Andreeva will battle for the remaining opportunities to qualify for the season finale. Rybakina’s performance in Ningbo has not only showcased her talent but has also added excitement to the concluding events of the WTA season.