Preview WTA Ningbo Open Semifinals: Elena Rybakina and Leylah Fernandez lead the charge towards the final
WTA
The semifinals of the 2026 Ningbo Open will take place on Saturday, October 24, with two contrasting matchups determining the finalists at the WTA 500 hard-court tournament in Ningbo, China. World No. 30 Leylah Fernandez faces Marie Bouzkova, ranked 26th, while top seed and defending champion Elena Rybakina meets sixth seed Diana Shnaider.
Fernandez arrives in the last four after another three-set victory, beating Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The Canadian has won 12 of her last 15 matches and is looking to build on her title-winning run in Singapore last month. However, she faces an opponent who has already beaten her convincingly in their only previous meeting.
Rybakina, meanwhile, continued her title defence by defeating qualifier Katarzyna Kawa 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. The World No. 1 will face Shnaider, who recovered from losing the second set to beat Iva Jovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. Rybakina leads their head-to-head 2-0, with both previous meetings taking place this season.
With Fernandez chasing another title and Rybakina aiming to retain her crown, Saturday's matches offer two different tests. Fernandez must overcome a difficult historical matchup, while Shnaider will attempt to find a way past a player who has beaten her twice without dropping a set.
Leylah Fernandez vs Marie Bouzkova: Can the Canadian continue her winning run?
Fernandez has been one of the most consistent performers during the Asian swing. After winning her first title of the season in Singapore, she has carried that form into Ningbo, where she has won three consecutive three-set matches. Her quarterfinal victory over Alexandrova also evened their career head-to-head at 3-3, following another win over the Russian in Wuhan the previous week.
The Canadian's ability to recover from difficult positions has been particularly important. Against seventh seed Elise Mertens in the first round, Fernandez came back from 5-3 down in the deciding set. She then defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich before overcoming Alexandrova, spending just under eight hours on court across her three matches.
Fernandez has also recorded a tour-leading 16 WTA 500 match wins this season, ahead of Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula, who have 14 each. Ranked 30th in the world, she will now look to turn that consistency into another deep tournament run. Her return game could again prove important after she converted four of nine break points against Alexandrova.
Bouzkova, ranked 26th, has taken a more straightforward route to the semifinals. The Czech defeated Kamilla Rakhimova, Anastasia Zakharova and compatriot Sara Bejlek in straight sets. Her quarterfinal victory over Bejlek secured her third semifinal appearance of 2026 and her first at a WTA 500 event or above since August 2025. She has also won both of her previous semifinals this season.
The main concern for Fernandez is their previous meeting. Bouzkova won 6-0, 6-1 when they faced each other at the 2019 Rogers Cup in Toronto. Seven years later, Fernandez has the opportunity to change that record, but Bouzkova's consistency and clean run through the draw make her a difficult opponent.
Head-to-head: Bouzkova leads 1-0. She won their only previous meeting 6-0, 6-1 in Toronto in 2019.
Elena Rybakina vs Diana Shnaider: Defending champion faces another test
Rybakina enters the semifinal as the World No. 1 and top seed, looking to defend the Ningbo title she won last year. Her week has included a walkover-style advancement after Polina Kudermetova retired while trailing 5-0 in the first set, followed by a completed match against Kawa. Against the qualifier, Rybakina recovered from a second-set dip to win 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.
Her serve was a major factor in that quarterfinal. The Kazakh hit eight aces, won 81% of her first-serve points and created 17 break points, converting six. She also recorded 29 winners, underlining the attacking threat she brings into the semifinal. After losing in the first round in Beijing following the US Open, she has found a more convincing rhythm in Ningbo.
Shnaider will provide a different challenge. The World No. 13 beat Yulia Putintseva and Alexandra Eala before producing a strong performance against fourth seed Jovic. After Jovic levelled their quarterfinal, Shnaider dominated the deciding set, winning 79% of her first-serve points and not facing a break point.
The Russian has a strong record at this tournament. She reached the final on her Ningbo debut in 2023 and the semifinals last year, improving her tournament record to 10-3 with Friday's win. This will be her fourth semifinal of 2026, following appearances in Adelaide, Roland Garros and Washington, D.C. She is still seeking her first WTA Tour title of the season.
Diana Shnaider at Gazprom exhibition
Rybakina, however, has won both previous meetings between them. She defeated Shnaider 6-3, 6-4 in Stuttgart and 6-4, 6-4 in Cincinnati, both in 2026. Shnaider will need to disrupt Rybakina's serving patterns and find ways to extend rallies if she is to reverse that record. The defending champion's power and first serve will be central to her chances of reaching another final.
Head-to-head: Rybakina leads 2-0, with straight-set victories in Stuttgart and Cincinnati this season.
Read also
Both semifinals present clear stakes. Fernandez will attempt to overturn her previous defeat to Bouzkova and extend her strong run since the US Open, while Shnaider faces the challenge of ending Rybakina's unbeaten record against her. The winners will meet in Sunday's Ningbo Open final.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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