Leylah Fernandez has reached the Ningbo Open final after defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday in Ningbo, China.
The Canadian will face top seed and world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in Sunday’s championship match at the WTA 500 tournament.
The final is scheduled for not before 5 p.m. local time on October 25, which is 5 a.m. ET.
Fernandez, ranked No. 30, is appearing in her second WTA 500 final of the season and the 10th final of her career.
The Laval, Quebec, player won the Singapore Tennis Open in September and is seeking her second title in as many months.
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Leylah Fernandez reaches another final
Fernandez used her return game to overcome Bouzkova, converting eight of 18 break-point opportunities and closing both sets with breaks of serve.
The match featured frequent changes of momentum, particularly in the second set.
Fernandez led 2-0 before Bouzkova moved ahead 4-2, but the Canadian responded by winning the final three games to secure the victory.
Fernandez also faced 15 break points and saved 10 of them, an important statistic in a match where neither player consistently held serve.
The win followed three consecutive three-set victories for Fernandez earlier in the tournament against Elise Mertens, Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
She needed nearly eight hours on court to reach the semifinals, making her straight-sets win over Bouzkova particularly significant from a workload perspective.
Rybakina presents a major test
Rybakina earned her place in the final by beating sixth-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5.
The Kazakh, who won the Ningbo title last year, is trying to defend her championship and claim a fourth title of the 2026 season.
Rybakina was pushed by qualifier Katarzyna Kawa in the quarter-finals but has otherwise progressed efficiently, losing only one set during the tournament before the final.
The final will be the sixth meeting between Rybakina and Fernandez.
Rybakina leads their overall head-to-head record 3-2 and won their most recent match, a three-set quarter-final in Stuttgart earlier this year.
Their first four meetings on hard courts were evenly split.
What is at stake in the Ningbo final
The winner will receive 500 ranking points and US$185,500 in prize money.
The runner-up will earn 325 ranking points and US$114,500.
For Fernandez, a victory would give her a seventh career title and a third WTA 500 championship.
For Rybakina, another Ningbo title would make her a repeat champion at the event and strengthen her position in the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
| Final detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | BNB Ningbo Open |
| Round | Women’s singles final |
| Players | Elena Rybakina vs. Leylah Fernandez |
| Date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Scheduled time | Not before 5 p.m. in Ningbo, or 5 a.m. ET |
| Surface | Outdoor hard court |
| Winner’s reward | 500 ranking points and US$185,500 |
Fernandez continues strong Asian swing
The Ningbo run adds to a strong stretch for Fernandez across the Asian swing.
According to the WTA, she entered the final with an 11-2 record since the start of the swing.
Her run also continues a productive late-season schedule that has included a title in Singapore and now back-to-back appearances in WTA 500 finals.
Fernandez’s path has required repeated comebacks and long matches, while Rybakina has spent considerably less time on court.
That contrast could be one of the central factors in the championship match.
The Ningbo Open is being played from October 19 to October 25 at the Ningbo Tennis Center.
The WTA 500 event features a 28-player singles draw on outdoor hard courts.
Fernandez will be seeking her first victory over an active world No. 1 when she takes on Rybakina in the final.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Leylah Fernandez and Elena Rybakina final?
The Ningbo Open women’s singles final is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, not before 5 p.m. local time in Ningbo, or 5 a.m. ET.
How did Leylah Fernandez reach the Ningbo final?
Fernandez defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the semifinals after winning three consecutive three-set matches earlier in the tournament.
Who leads the head-to-head between Fernandez and Rybakina?
Rybakina leads their overall head-to-head record 3-2.
What does the Ningbo Open winner receive?
The champion will receive 500 ranking points and US$185,500 in prize money.
What would a Fernandez victory mean?
A win would give Fernandez her seventh career title, her third WTA 500 trophy and a second championship in two months after her Singapore victory.
Fact-Checked: Key match results, player records, tournament details, schedule information and prize figures were checked against WTA and Tennis Canada information.
Disclaimer: Match times and tournament details may change if the official schedule is adjusted.