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Rybakina and Fernandez set up another final in Ningbo

Elena Rybakina and Leylah Fernandez will meet in the Ningbo final after winning their semi-finals in straight sets. Rybakina overcame Diana Shnaider, while Fernandez defeated Marie Bouzkova. Their sixth meeting follows a Stuttgart final earlier this season, won by Rybakina. Both players had difficult moments on serve before completing their victories.

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Two women hold rackets in ready positions at opposite baselines of a blue tennis court, seen from high behind the nearer player.

Ningbo brings another Rybakina–Fernandez final

Elena Rybakina and Leylah Fernandez will contest the women’s tennis final in Ningbo, China. Rybakina beat Diana Shnaider in the semifinal, while Fernandez defeated Marie Bouzkova to reach the title match.[1], [2]

Both semi-finals finished 6-3, 7-5. The final is their sixth meeting: Rybakina won three of the previous five and their last two encounters. One was this season’s Stuttgart final, where she successfully defended her title. Ningbo will be the 28th final of Rybakina’s career and her second consecutive final at the tournament.[1]

Rybakina needs eleven set points to close the opener

Rybakina had needed three sets against Katarzyna Kawa in the previous round. Her 95-minute semifinal also brought difficult passages: she missed her first ten set points before taking the opener on the eleventh. Serving for the match, she lost a game without winning a point, but still finished in straight sets. She made 42 unforced errors and faced only one break point on her own serve.[1]

Fernandez’s return games overcome serving difficulties

Fernandez spent 118 minutes on court and won the last three games against Bouzkova. She landed 54 per cent of first serves and lost serve five times, but broke her opponent eight times. Her match figures included 27 winners and 25 unforced errors. The Canadian reached her tenth career final and second of this season. She won the title in Singapore at her other final appearance this year.[1]

References

  1. News sourceWTARybakina and Fernandez reach Ningbo final↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceTennis NowFernandez to face Rybakina in Ningbo final↩

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