Rybakina beats Fernandez to defend Ningbo Open title and claim 1st title since earning No. 1 ranking

NINGBO, China (AP) — Elena Rybakina claimed her first trophy since earning the No. 1 ranking , beating Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to defend her Ningbo Open title.

Rybakina moved past Aryna Sabalenka into the top spot after the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Open finalist in 2021, Rybakina saved all four break points she faced and produced a forehand winner on her first match point.