Fernandez secured her place in the final by defeating Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semi-final.

SHANGHAI: World number one Elena Rybakina moved closer to her fourth WTA title of the year on Saturday after defeating Diana Shnaider to set up a Ningbo Open final against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

The top seed and defending champion defeated the Russian world number 13 by 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-final.

Rybakina, who overtook Aryna Sabalenka to become world number one after winning the US Open in September, had missed last week’s Wuhan Open because of a foot injury.

The Moscow-born Kazakh appeared poised to dominate the opening set but struggled to close it out while serving at 5-3. She committed two double faults as 10 set points slipped away before finally securing the set on her 11th opportunity.

Shnaider, 22, initially held firm in the second set, but Rybakina increased the pressure and broke serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. She then held serve to move within a game of the set at 5-3.

However, Rybakina faltered while serving for the match at 5-4, losing the game to love. She responded immediately by breaking Shnaider’s serve before serving for the match again at 6-5.

This time, the 27-year-old made no mistake, converting her second match point with a two-handed backhand down the line.

Fernandez Sets Up Final Against Rybakina

Fernandez secured her place in the final by defeating Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semi-final.

The Canadian world number 30 is seeking her second title in as many months after winning her first tournament of the year in Singapore last month.

Fernandez controlled much of the opening set against the world number 26 before breaking early in the second to establish a 2-0 lead.

Bouzkova fought back as both players struggled to hold serve, turning the second set into a closely contested battle.

Fernandez eventually prevailed in just under two hours when Bouzkova sent a return long, setting up a title clash with Rybakina at the Ningbo Open.