Rybakina Advances to Ningbo Open Final After Defeating Paolini
Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, has broken her five-month streak without reaching a final, following a remarkable victory over Jasmine Paolini at the Ningbo Open. Rybakina won with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals of the tournament. In a match that lasted 89 minutes, Rybakina demonstrated her power by connecting 10 aces. She had to defend seven break points against Paolini, who was the second seed.After failing to advance in the semifinals of the Citi Open, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati Masters in recent months, Rybakina will seek to add the Ningbo Open title to her record, joining the WTA 500 she won on clay in Strasbourg on May 24. This victory keeps Rybakina’s hopes alive of participating in the WTA Finals at the end of the season, after the defeat of Paolini, who lost the opportunity to secure her place in the Turin tournament. In the final, Rybakina will face Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is in the top 10 of her career for the first time. Alexandrova defeated Diana Shnaider with a score of 6-3, 6-4.I knew the match would be very difficult. Jasmine has played really well this season. She’s a very tough opponent, and I knew I would have to give my best. I’m happy that I stayed focused until the end and won in straight sets.
Elena Rybakina
