Rybakina Needs 11 Set Points to Reach Ningbo Final

Elena Rybakina required 11 set points to close out the opening set before beating sixth-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-3, 7-5 in the Ningbo Open semifinal on Saturday. The victory sends the defending champion into Sunday's final at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre, where she will face unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

Fernandez booked the other final spot earlier in the day, defeating Czech Marie Bouzkova by the identical 6-3, 7-5 scoreline. Both semifinals were played at the venue in the eastern Chinese city.

Rybakina, ranked number one in the world, arrived in Ningbo after a heavy defeat in Beijing and a withdrawal from Wuhan because of a foot injury. Against Shnaider, the 13th-ranked left-hander, Rybakina produced powerful winners from deep in the court but also lost her rhythm. She closed the first set on her 11th set point. "It was an important game, and it was a long one," Rybakina said. "It was on my serve, and it was a struggle .. so many opportunities, but I'm glad it went my way."

The second set saw Rybakina broken to love in the 10th game after moving ahead 4-3. She broke back in the next game and served out the match. Shnaider's left-handed play caused problems during exchanges. "It's always difficult to play against left-handers. We don't have so many on the tour," Rybakina said. "I needed some time .. I'm happy I managed to win in two sets." Fernandez also plays left-handed.

The Australian Open and US Open champion, 27, has now won three Grand Slam titles. She is seeking a second consecutive Ningbo Open trophy. "It's never easy," Rybakina said about the prospect of defending her title. "Of course I'll try to do my best. I'm going to fight and give my all tomorrow."

After Sunday's final, Rybakina is scheduled for the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week, followed by the defence of her WTA Finals title at Indian Wells starting November 8.