NINGBO, China -- 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.
Against the 30th-ranked Fernandez, a US Open finalist in 2021, Rybakina saved all four break points she faced and produced a forehand winner on her first match point.
Rybakina moved past Aryna Sabalenka into the top spot after the US Open but was 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 US Open trophies and the 15th of her career.
She improved to 8-0 in her career at the Ningbo Open after beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in last season's final.