Elena Rybakina becomes a member of the career double digit WTA titles club winning her 10th at the 2025 Ningbo Open.
After overcoming Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals with a dominant performance, she had to come from behind against a formidable and surging Ekaterina Alexandrova who won the first set 6-3.
For the next two sets, Rybakina served better, committed less unforced errors, and gritted her way through some physical rivalries to edge Alexandrova.
NINGBO CHAMPION 🏆
Elena Rybakina comes back to beat Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 💪#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/8glFD2JlRT
— wta (@WTA) October 19, 2025
With the win, Rybakina keeps herself in the running for the last open spot in the WTA Finals.
It is Rybakina vs. Andreeva For WTA Finals Spot #8
Rybakina controls her own destiny. She needs to make the semifinals next week at the Toray Pan Pacific Open to edge out Andreeva.
Jasmine Paolini earned the 7th spot yesterday as Andreeva is choosing not to play in Tokyo.
Rybakina has been a member of the WTA Finals final eight for the past two years (2023 and 2024).
She won two WTA 500 events this year (Strasbourg and Ningbo); whereas Andreeva won two WTA 1000 events early in the season Indian Wells and Dubai.
Andreeva has struggled of late which has allowed Paolini and Rybakina to close in.
The question for Rybakina will be able to recover physically, adjust to different court and ball conditions in Japan and earn that final spot.
She alluded to the “work not being done” in her victory speech.
Elena Rybakina after beating Alexandrova to win her 10th title in Ningbo
“I want to congratulate Ekaterina for a great week and great season. I wish you good luck in the next season… It hasn’t been an easy year for all of us… Difficult schedule. I wish you all the best for the… pic.twitter.com/OFuIgpk0ZD
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 19, 2025
Race to the WTA Finals
Qualified players are Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (2023 champion), Coco Gauff (2024 champion), Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Paolini. It is Anisimova’s first time in the WTA Finals, and it would also be Andreeva’s should she qualify.
Andreeva with partner Diana Shnaider and Paolini with partner Sara Errani are qualified for doubles. Other doubles teams are: Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova, Su-wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko, Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani, and Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs.
