Rybakina beats Fernandez to defend Ningbo Open title

Elena Rybakina beat Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to win the Ningbo Open final; Rybakina picked up her first title since becoming the world No 1 after the US Open; watch WTA and ATP Tours live on Sky Sports

Elena Rybakina won the Ningbo Open to secure her first title since becoming world No 1 earlier this year.

The defending champion beat Leylah Fernandez in the final, taking a 6-2 6-2 victory.

Rybakina moved past Aryna Sabalenka into the top spot after the US Open but was then stunned by 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva in her opening match at the China Open.

It's Rybakina's tour-leading fourth title of the year to go with her Australian Open, Stuttgart and US Open trophies, and the 15th of her career.

Rybakina improved to 8-0 in her career at the Ningbo Open after beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in last season's final.

Against the 30th-ranked Fernandez, a US Open finalist in 2021, Rybakina saved all four break points she faced and produced a forehand winner on her first match point.

After setbacks in Beijing and Wuhan Rybakina is now looking strong as she heads to the ⁠Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo ​this week before launching her title defence ​at the season finale in Indian Wells from November 8.

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