Jasmine Paolini reacts after defeating Veronika Kudermetova in the Cincinnati Open women’s singles semifinals, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Oh. Paolini won 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. Image Credit: Imagn Images

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WTA Finals Riyadh Intensifies as Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina Battle for Crucial Points at Ningbo Open 2025

Paolini and Rybakina fight for WTA Finals qualification at Ningbo Open

As the 2025 WTA season nears its conclusion, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina remain in contention for the final qualification spots at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Both players have advanced to the Ningbo Open quarterfinals, keeping their chances alive for the season-ending event scheduled from November 1 to 8.

Updates out of Ningbo 🚨

👉 Paolini def. V. Kudermetova 6-2, 7-5
👉 Rybakina def. Yastremska 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3

Both can still overtake Andreeva for a spot in the WTA Finals. #NingboOpen | #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/QyqTquHOP6
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 16, 2025

The Race to Riyadh 2025 Intensifies

Top seed Mirra Andreeva’s early exit to Lin Zhu has shifted the qualification picture, opening the door wider for both Paolini and Rybakina. The Ningbo Open has effectively become a decisive stop on the calendar, with valuable points and confidence at stake. Aryna Sabalenka, the 2025 US Open champion, became the first player to qualify back in July, while several others are still battling for the remaining spots. For Paolini and Rybakina, every win in Ningbo could be the difference between booking a ticket to Riyadh or narrowly missing out.

The top 10 WTA current rankings with their points are as follows:

Rank	Player	Points
1	Aryna Sabalenka	10,400
2	Iga Swiatek	8,768
3	Coco Gauff	7,873
4	Amanda Anisimova	5,924
5	Jessica Pegula	5,183
6	Mirra Andreeva	4,643
7	Madison Keys	4,449
8	Jasmine Paolini	4,331
9	Elena Rybakina	4,113
10	Ekaterina Alexandrova	3,158

Keeping tabs on the Race to the @WTAFinalsRiyadh 👀#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/e2GRYfrJzb
— wta (@WTA) October 14, 2025

What Does Jasmine Paolini Need to Do to Qualify for the WTA Finals?

Paolini’s 6-2, 7-5 win over Veronika Kudermetova in the second round brought her closer to what could be a career milestone, being her first WTA Finals appearance. The No. 2 seed can effectively confirm her spot by reaching the final this week.

If Rybakina exits before the semifinals, Paolini would only need to make the last four to qualify. The Italian next faces sixth seed Belinda Bencic, who leads their head-to-head 2-1. Paolini, however, insists she is not overthinking the numbers. Her approach remains focused and composed, built on consistency and self-belief that have fueled her rise this season, highlighted by strong runs at major tournaments.

A lot on the line in this one 🫢

Jasmine Paolini is still in contention for the WTA Finals. Can Belinda Bencic deny her? 🤔

Stream their #NingboOpen quarterfinal on our App 🤳 pic.twitter.com/04aQHVhX29
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 16, 2025

What Does Elena Rybakina Need to Do to Qualify for the WTA Finals?

Rybakina is still in control of her destiny, though her path is demanding. The world No. 4 battled through a tough 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 win over Dayana Yastremska after nearly three hours of play in humid conditions. Her 10th ace sealed the victory and secured her first-ever Ningbo quarterfinal appearance.

Next, she faces Ajla Tomljanovic for a semifinal spot. A title win in Ningbo would virtually guarantee her place in Riyadh, while a semifinal run could also keep her hopes alive depending on Paolini’s performance. With both players thriving under pressure, the final stretch to Riyadh promises drama, determination, and a fitting close to a thrilling 2025 WTA season.

Sealed in style ✨

Elena Rybakina battles past Yastremska 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 to book the last quarterfinal spot in Ningbo!#NingboOpen pic.twitter.com/xYG46e5PFn
— wta (@WTA) October 16, 2025

Image Credit: Imagn Images

Elena Rybakina

Jasmine Paolini

Ningbo Open 2025

WTA Finals

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.