Tennis-Holder Rybakina sets up Fernandez clash in Ningbo final

Oct 24 (Reuters) Defending Ningbo Open champion Elena Rybakina overcame Russian sixth seed Diana Shnaider 6-3 7-5 in the semi-final on Saturday ​to reach another title clash and remind ‌rivals of her threat ahead of next month s WTA Finals. The world number one will face Leylah Fernandez in the final on Sunday after the unseeded Canadian beat Czech Marie ‌Bouzkova ​by the same 6-3 7-5 ⁠scoreline in the earlier ⁠semi at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in the eastern Chinese city. Australian and US Open champion Rybakina, who arrived for her title defence after ​a bruising defeat in Beijing and a foot injury that forced her out of Wuhan, showed ⁠flashes of her best ⁠form despite a few wobbles against the ​13th-ranked Shnaider. An aggressive start with powerful winners from deep ​helped three-times Grand Slam winner Rybakina take full ‌control of the opening frame, which she sealed on her 11th set point after a sudden dip in form. The 27-year-old continued to struggle with ⁠the