Elena Rybakina booked her place in the Ningbo Open final for the second consecutive year after overcoming Diana Shnaider in straight sets. 

After being pushed to three sets in her quarter-final against qualifier Katarzyna Kawa, Rybakina secured a 6-3 7-5 victory within one hour and 35 minutes in Saturday's semi-final, setting up a showpiece meeting with Leylah Fernandez on Sunday, as she looks to defend her title. 

Despite facing just one break point throughout the contest, Rybakina was made to work for her victory. 

She squandered 10 set points before finally taking the opener at the 11th attempt, as 42 unforced errors prevented her from finding her usual rhythm. 

The world number one also faltered when serving for the match, giving up a game to love, but she recovered to see out the victory and extend her title defence. 

"It's never easy, and of course I will try to do my best," Rybakina said after the match. "I will give my all tomorrow. I'm going to fight. 

"It was an important game and a very long one. It was a struggle on my serve.

"I was playing the first balls really well, but then, on advantage, I wouldn't close the game, and there were so many opportunities. But I'm glad that in the end it went my way." 

Fernandez had earlier continued her strong tournament, defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3 7-5 in one hour and 58 minutes to reach her second final of the season. 

Elsewhere, in Osaka, Katerina Siniakova cruised to a 6-1 6-4 victory over Katie Boulter to book her place in the Japan Open final. 

Siniakova will face Ashlyn Krueger after the American defeated compatriot Ann Li 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-3 in the other semi-final. 

A formidable FINALIST  The world number 1 Elena Rybakina has her place in the 2026 Ningbo final! #NingboOpen

— wta (@WTA) October 24, 2026

Familiar foes Rybakina and Fernandez meet in Ningbo 

Rybakina and Fernandez have seen plenty of each other previously, with Sunday's final marking their sixth WTA Tour meeting. 

It will, however, be their first encounter in a championship match, while Rybakina will be gearing up for the 28th tour-level final of her career. 

The world number one holds a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head record, having won their last two meetings between the players.  

She defeated Fernandez en route to retaining her Stuttgart title earlier this year and will now look to repeat that feat in Ningbo.