Rybakina Advances to Ningbo Open Final After Defeating Paolini
Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, managed to break a five-month drought without reaching a final by decisively defeating Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals of the Ningbo Open. Rybakina demonstrated her power on the court, securing the victory with a score of 6-3, 6-2. Rybakina displayed a dominant game, including 10 aces, although she also had to defend seven break points in a match that lasted 89 minutes against Paolini, who was the second seed in the tournament held in China.After reaching the semi-final stage at the Citi Open, the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters in recent months, Rybakina will seek to add the Ningbo Open title to her list of achievements, joining the WTA 500 she won on clay in Strasbourg on May 24.I knew the match would be very difficult. Jasmine has played very well this season. She is a very tough opponent, and I knew I would have to give my best. I am happy that I stayed focused until the end and won in straight sets.
Elena Rybakina
This victory keeps Rybakina’s hopes alive of participating in the WTA Finals at the end of the season, after Paolini lost the opportunity to secure her place in the Turin tournament on Saturday.
In the final, Rybakina will face Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is currently in the top 10 for the first time in her career. Alexandrova secured her place in the final after defeating Diana Shnaider with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
