Why Elena Rybakina is ready to challenge for Grand Slam titles again after her triumph in China

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Elena Rybakina won her 10th WTA Tour title on Sunday after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Ningbo Open final.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion fought from a set down against Alexandrova, eventually defeating the Russian 3-6, 6-0, 6-2.

Rybakina has risen to world number seven, and has strengthened her chance of pipping Mirra Andreeva to the final WTA Finals spot.

The Kazakhstani star has proven her worth once again, winning her second WTA Tour title of 2025.

If her level in Ningbo can be replicated in the future, there is no reason why she cannot be in the mix for Grand Slam glory once again.

Elena Rybakina could challenge for the 2026 Australian Open

Elena Rybakina’s run at the Ningbo Open epitomised what her game is all about: hard-hitting, precise ball striking.

The 26-year-old started her campaign by coming through a tough contest against Dayana Yastremska. Since then, she has been almost unstoppable.

Rybakina dropped just two games against Alja Tomljanovic, before comfortably defeating new world number six Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-2.

In the final, Rybakina faced quite possibly the most in-form player on the WTA Tour at this current moment.

However, after the first set, Rybakina frankly demolished Alexandrova, dropping just two more games.

There are very few players on the WTA Tour who can match Rybakina when she is in this type of form, and after winning her second WTA Tour title of the year in such fashion, few would bet against her challenging for Grand Slam titles in 2026.

Moreover, Rybakina is set to move from ninth to seventh in the world rankings, meaning if she can maintain or improve upon that position, she will not face a player in the WTA top eight until the quarter-finals at the 2026 Australian Open.

Rybakina last reached a Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open. The hard courts in Australia suit her game, and there is no reason why – with the renewed confidence she has gained in Ningbo – she cannot perform extremely well heading into the last few tournaments of 2025 and the opening events of 2026.

Elena Rybakina’s last five titles have been at the WTA 500 level

Rybakina has become somewhat of a specialist at the WTA 500 level.

The 26-year-old’s last five WTA titles have been at the WTA 500 level, dating back to January 2024.

Between January 2024 and the present day, Rybakina has won the Brisbane International, Abu Dhabi Open, Stuttgart Open, Strasbourg Open and Ningbo Open.

Speaking of Ningbo, Rybakina was superb in this year’s final, serving 11 aces and winning 88 per cent of her first serve points.

As per Sofascore, Rybakina also broke Alexandrova’s serve five times. Comparatively, Alexandrova broke Rybakina’s serve once.