NINGBO: Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to beat Russian fourth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 and win the Ningbo Open title on Sunday, as her late surge to reach next month’s WTA Finals gained momentum.

A 10th career title for Rybakina means the Kazakh only has to reach the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week to seal the last qualifying spot for the season finale at the expense of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Others who have qualified for the WTA Finals, to be held in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh from Nov 1-8, are Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Jasmine Paolini.

“I’d like to congratulate Ekaterina for a great week and great season,” said Rybakina. “It hasn’t been an easy year for all of us.”

Alexandrova made a flying start, racing 4-1 ahead as Rybakina struggled to rein in the errors and mix up her game, before the 30-year-old comfortably took the first set with a powerful forehand winner.

Desperate to prevent a fourth straight defeat by Alexandrova on hardcourts Rybakina came out firing in the next set, hitting a crosscourt winner to consolidate an early break and lay the platform to level the match.

World number nine Rybakina cranked up the intensity in the deciding set to claim her second trophy of the season.

“I want to congratulate Elena on the amazing week and the amazing game that she played today,” said Alexandrova, who at the age of 30 was making her top-10 debut this week. “I wish her luck until the end of the season and for the next year.”

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2025