Rybakina triumphs at Ningbo Open finals

Elena Rybakina kisses the championship trophy. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Elena Rybakina claimed the 2025 Ningbo Open singles title, while Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Liudmila Samsonova triumphed in the doubles final.

In the singles final at Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center on Oct 19, Rybakina staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2.

Alexandrova started strong, breaking serve in the second game and taking a 3-0 lead. She held her serve to take the first set 6-3, despite Rybakina hitting more aces. Rybakina dominated the second set, firing three aces and winning 6-0 in just 32 minutes to level the match. In the deciding set, she broke Alexandrova early, built a 3-0 lead, and delivered five aces, eventually closing out 6-2 to secure the championship.

The doubles final featured Melichar-Martinez and Samsonova against Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani. Both teams played cautiously at first, holding serve until Babos and Stefani narrowly won the first set 7-5. 

Melichar-Martinez and Samsonova fought back in the second set, breaking serve in the ninth game to take it 6-4. In the match tiebreak, they gained momentum after a 2-2 start, winning key points to secure a 10-8 victory despite a late comeback from their opponents.

Rybakina's resilience and the doubles pair's clutch performance highlighted a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Ningbo Open.

Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Liudmila Samsonova pose with the doubles trophy. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]