Elena Rybakina advanced to the Ningbo Open final after a grueling three-set win over Diana Shnaider, while Daniil Medvedev aimed to defend his Almaty title, both facing potential career milestones.
Elena Rybakina secured her place in the Ningbo Open final with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Diana Shnaider, overcoming 42 unforced errors and a late service break to clinch the match in 1 hour, 35 minutes. The World No. 1 faced her toughest test yet, converting her 11th set point in the opening set after multiple missed opportunities. It was a struggle on my serve,
Rybakina said, reflecting on the match. But I'm glad that in the end it went my way.
Rybakina will face Leylah Fernandez in the final, who advanced with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Marie Bouzkova. Fernandez acknowledged her uneven performance, noting too many mistakes, but emphasized resilience. It's a semifinal, so there are a lot of nerves,
she said. I'm just super happy that I was able to manage it well.
A formidable FINALIST 🤩The world number 1 Elena Rybakina has her place in the 2026 Ningbo final!#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/HJHIYIRAO7
Rybakina’s Tense Semifinal Victory
Rybakina’s path to the final was far from straightforward. After being pushed to three sets by qualifier Katarzyna Kawa in the quarterfinals, she faced another challenge against Shnaider. The Kazakh player survived a late break point and a lengthy set-point battle in the first set, ultimately prevailing despite 42 unforced errors. Her ability to close critical moments, including a 11th set-point conversion, highlighted her composure under pressure.
The final will be the sixth WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz meeting between Rybakina and Fernandez, with their first in a championship match. Earlier this year, Rybakina earned her first repeat title in Stuttgart, defeating Fernandez along the way. She now has a chance to do the same in Ningbo. It’s never easy, and of course I will try to do my best,
Rybakina said in her on-court interview. I will give my all tomorrow. I’m going to fight.
Roaring the loudest 🦁The moment where @leylahfernandez booked herself into the Final 2!#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/Wgy2Swilas
Fernandez’s Resilient Semifinal Run
The Canadian was broken five times and won just 54% of her first-serve points but countered with eight breaks of Bouzkova, 27 winners, and 25 unforced errors. I'm just super happy that I was able to manage it well.
The match will be the sixth WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz meeting between the players, with their first in a championship match.
Medvedev’s Title Defense Ambitions
Daniil Medvedev, the last year’s champion, faces a crucial test in his bid to defend his title. Medvedev’s unique statistic—winning his first 22 ATP titles (of the 24 he has) in different cities—has made his potential title defense a historic prospect. If he wins the Almaty Open, he will defend his first title ever.
Rybakina, meanwhile, aims to repeat her Ningbo success, facing Fernandez in a rematch of their Stuttgart final earlier this year.
Medvedev's Almaty Open title defense is part of a larger set of circumstances. The Almaty Open, an ATP 250 event, is scheduled for Sunday, with the final set. As the first seed, Medvedev faces Nikoloz Basilashvili (Q). In contrast, Rybakina’s Ningbo Open final, a WTA 500 event, will take place on the same day, with the Kazakh player as the World No. 1 against Fernandez.
The Almaty Open and Ningbo Open finals coincide with the conclusion of the Asian Swing. Rybakina possesses 14 WTA titles including four of the biggest of the sport: Wimbledon (2022), Australian Open (2026), US Open (2026), and 2025 WTA Finals. Medvedev, a Russian, has 24 ATP titles but no title defenses, making his Almaty Open final a historic opportunity.
Living up to the billing of top seed, Elena Rybakina 🇰🇿 overcomes second set lapse to make it to semifinals at Ningbo Open #AsianTennis#Rybakina pic.twitter.com/gaYrSoLtSU
Both players are competing in their respective finals on Sunday at the Almaty Open (ATP 250) and Ningbo Open (WTA 500). Rybakina’s semifinal against Shnaider and Fernandez’s semifinal against Bouzkova both concluded on Saturday. The WTA and ATP events are part of the tennis calendar, with Rybakina aiming for her second straight year into the Ningbo final and Medvedev seeking his first title defense.
Medvedev’s Almaty Open final against Basilashvili is a direct matchup from the source material, which notes that the Russian will defend his title against the Georgian. The sources also mention that Rybakina will face Fernandez in the Ningbo final, with the Kazakh player looking to extend her head-to-head lead over the Canadian. Both finals are scheduled for Sunday at their respective venues.
Making her move 📍Elena Rybakina stays focused and despite a lengthy last game, she secures the first set in Ningbo, 6-3!#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/3MDbSCuhDh
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Rybakina strikes back! 🔥After dropping the opening set, Elena Rybakina responds with a dominant 6–0 second set and we are going the distance… 🏆👀#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/CLM7uWLOEJ