Can the world No.1 keep her momentum? Elena Rybakina clinched the Ningbo Open, marking her first trophy since ascending to the top spot earlier this year.
The defending champion dispatched Leylah Fernandez in the final, cruising to a 6-2 6-2 win.
After overtaking Aryna Sabalenka post‑US Open, Rybakina was shocked by 118th‑ranked Alina Charaeva in her China Open opener.
This victory adds a tour‑leading fourth title to her haul, joining Australian Open, Stuttgart and US Open successes, the 15th of her career.
In my view, Rybakina’s flawless 8‑0 record at Ningbo underscores her growing dominance, having bested Ekaterina Alexandrova in last year’s final.
Facing 30th‑ranked Fernandez, a 2021 US Open finalist, Rybakina saved all four break points and sealed the match with a forehand winner on her first match point.
Following setbacks in Beijing and Wuhan, she now looks sharp heading to the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo before defending her title at the season‑ending Indian Wells event starting Nov 8.
Daniil Medvedev rebounded from a first‑set loss to overcome Nikoloz Basilashvili and capture the Almaty Open crown.
The reigning Almaty champion dropped the opening tiebreak but surged back to claim the next two sets.
He triumphed 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 6-3, securing his fourth ATP title of the year.
Medvedev is eyeing a spot in the ATP Finals, with Zverev, Alcaraz and Shelton already qualified, while injured Sinner will miss the Turin showdown Nov 15‑22.
“I always said it’s just a matter of luck, time and moment,” Medvedev reflected after his first successful title defence. “I felt fresh and physically good.”
“I’m finally happy to do it, I guess,” he added.
He will compete in the Vienna Open starting Monday and the Paris Masters from Oct 31, aiming to lock in his Turin berth.
Katerina Siniakova snapped her first singles crown in three years, overwhelming Ashlyn Krueger 6-1 6-0 at the Japan Open on Sunday.
Siniakova broke the 22‑year‑old American’s serve six times in a 64‑minute battle, earning her sixth career singles title and first since the 2023 Jiangxi Open.
Better known for doubles, the 30‑year‑old boasts 39 titles, including last month’s US Open women’s doubles win with Taylor Townsend.
Siniakova’s Japanese triumph arrives nine years after her inaugural singles victory in Shenzhen, 2017. Will she add another title before the season ends?