Elena Rybakina has once again demonstrated her mettle on the hard courts, capturing her 10th WTA Tour title at the 2025 Aux-Ningbo Open in China. The 26-year-old Kazakhstani star, currently ranked ninth in the world, stormed back from a set down to defeat Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in a thrilling final held on October 19, 2025. With this triumph, Rybakina not only adds another trophy to her growing collection but also sends a strong message to her rivals ahead of the season’s closing stretch and the looming 2026 Grand Slam calendar.
The Ningbo Open, a WTA 500 event boasting a prize pool of $1,064,510, has become the latest stage for Rybakina’s hard-hitting, relentless style of play. Despite dropping the opening set to the in-form Alexandrova, who herself sits just one spot behind Rybakina at No. 10 in the WTA rankings, the Kazakh found another gear. She swept the second set without conceding a game and dominated the third, sealing the championship in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Zhejiang province.
“It’s been a great week,” Rybakina said after the match, visibly elated with her performance and the result. Her path to the title in Ningbo was anything but straightforward. The tournament began with a tough opening encounter against Dayana Yastremska, where Rybakina was forced to dig deep. She then made quick work of Alja Tomljanovic, surrendering just two games, before dispatching the newly crowned world number six, Jasmine Paolini, 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals. That semifinal, played on October 18, was a showcase of Rybakina’s signature power and precision, setting the stage for her showdown with Alexandrova.
In the final, Rybakina’s serve proved nearly untouchable. She fired 11 aces and won an astonishing 88% of her first serve points—numbers that would make even the best servers on the tour take notice. According to Sofascore data, she broke Alexandrova’s serve five times, while her own delivery was only breached once. After a shaky first set, Rybakina’s level soared, and she left her opponent scrambling to keep up. The second set was a masterclass: Rybakina didn’t drop a single game, and her confidence only grew from there. By the time the third set was underway, there was little doubt who would lift the trophy.
“After the first set, I just tried to focus on my game and stay aggressive,” Rybakina explained. “I’m really happy with how I managed to turn things around.” Her ability to rebound from adversity has become a hallmark of her career, and this latest victory is a testament to her resilience and tactical acumen.
This win marks Rybakina’s second WTA Tour title of 2025, following her triumph in Strasbourg earlier in the year. Even more impressively, her last five titles have all come at the WTA 500 level—a clear indication that she’s become something of a specialist in these high-stakes, mid-tier tournaments. Since January 2024, Rybakina has hoisted trophies in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, and now Ningbo. Each victory has reinforced her reputation as one of the tour’s most consistent and dangerous players, particularly on hard courts.
Rybakina’s consistency is paying dividends in the rankings as well. With her Ningbo Open win, she is set to rise from ninth to seventh in the world, leapfrogging rivals and strengthening her bid for a coveted spot at the WTA Finals. The battle for the last qualification position has been fierce, with young talents like Mirra Andreeva in the mix, but Rybakina’s latest haul of points could prove decisive.
“Every match is important at this stage of the season,” Rybakina noted, acknowledging the pressure that comes with chasing a place among the world’s elite. Her upward momentum couldn’t come at a better time, with the tour’s final events fast approaching and the 2026 Australian Open looming on the horizon.
It’s no secret that Rybakina’s game flourishes on hard courts. She last reached a Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open, and many pundits believe she’s primed for another deep run in Melbourne. Her powerful serve, aggressive baseline play, and calm under pressure make her a formidable opponent for anyone in the draw. If she can maintain her current form, few would bet against her making a splash at the season’s first major next year.
“If she keeps playing like this, she’ll be in the mix for Grand Slam titles again,” remarked one commentator during the final. The sentiment is widely shared across the tennis world: Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has all the tools to add more major hardware to her resume.
Her victory in Ningbo is also significant for what it says about the current state of the women’s game. Ekaterina Alexandrova, her final opponent, has been one of the WTA Tour’s most consistent performers in recent months. For Rybakina to dismantle her so thoroughly after dropping the first set speaks volumes about the Kazakh’s ability to adapt and rise to the occasion. The women’s field is as competitive as ever, with new stars emerging and established names refusing to fade quietly. Rybakina’s blend of experience and hunger sets her apart as a genuine contender for every event she enters.
Looking ahead, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how Rybakina fares in the final weeks of 2025. With her confidence soaring and her ranking on the rise, she’s poised to make a significant impact at the WTA Finals—if she secures her spot—and to challenge for the biggest prizes in 2026. Her journey from a gritty opening round in Ningbo to lifting the trophy is a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that make tennis such a captivating sport.
For now, Elena Rybakina can savor her latest triumph, a testament to her skill, determination, and growing legacy on the WTA Tour. Fans and rivals alike will be eager to see what she does next, as the hard-hitting Kazakh continues to make her mark on the global tennis stage.
