AUX Ningbo Open 2025 Finals Schedule and Preview
NINGBO, CHINA – The 2025 AUX Ningbo Open is set for a blockbuster conclusion on Sunday, October 19, with the singles final featuring a powerful clash between third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and fourth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. This highly anticipated final, which has significant implications for the Race to the WTA Finals, is the centerpiece of a hard-court spectacular that also features a star-studded doubles final.
The day’s action on Center Court, located at the Yinzhou Tennis Center, will commence at 2:30 PM local time with the doubles final, followed by the highly-anticipated Singles Championship match, scheduled for Not Before 5:00 PM. The prestige of this WTA 500 event, boasting a total prize fund of $1,064,510, ensures that both competitors will leave everything on the Plexipave surface. The singles champion is set to walk away with a cheque for a substantial $164,000 and 500 crucial ranking points.
The Singles Final: Alexandrova’s Edge vs. Rybakina’s Momentum
The final between Elena Rybakina and Ekaterina Alexandrova is a contest between two of the tour’s most aggressive and formidable power players. While both possess immense serving and groundstroke firepower, the head-to-head record and recent form paint a complex picture of what promises to be a dramatic final.
The Head-to-Head: A Dominant History for Alexandrova
The rivalry between Rybakina and Alexandrova is surprisingly skewed in favor of the fourth seed. Alexandrova holds a commanding 3-1 lead in their overall H2H encounters. The veteran Russian has historically managed to stifle Rybakina’s game, securing three of those victories in straight sets.
However, the context of their past meetings is crucial. Alexandrova’s dominance was built largely in the past, and Rybakina’s game has reached new heights in recent years. In fact, Rybakina’s semi-final victory over Jasmine Paolini was a huge confidence boost, as she defeated her opponent for the first time ever on hard courts, firing 10 aces and saving all seven break points she faced. This latest win suggests the 2022 Wimbledon champion has found her range and composure at a critical time.
The Race to the WTA Finals
For Rybakina, the Ningbo final is more than just a title match; it is a vital step in her quest to qualify for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. A victory would propel her within a mere 15 points of the final qualifying spot, held by Mirra Andreeva, thereby prolonging the high-stakes race until the following week’s tournament in Tokyo. Rybakina has been clinical this week, losing only one set in the entire tournament—in her opener—and her game is peaking at the perfect time.
Alexandrova’s Hard-Court Renaissance
Ekaterina Alexandrova, meanwhile, has been on a tear, reaching her second final in just four tournaments during the high-stakes Asian swing. Her path to the final was equally dominant, reaching the championship match without dropping a single set and conceding just 19 games in three matches. Alexandrova, the 30-year-old right-hander, is playing with confidence and tactical precision, evidenced by her decisive semi-final victory over compatriot Diana Shnaider.
Alexandrova has also tasted success against Rybakina on a final stage before, dating back to January 2020 at the Shenzhen Open, where she claimed her maiden career title by defeating the Kazakh in the final. Having already reached three WTA 500 finals in 2025, she will be fiercely determined to go one better than her recent final appearance in Seoul, where she fell to World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
The Key to Victory:
The match promises an explosive mix of sheer power. Rybakina’s consistent first serve and flat groundstrokes will battle against Alexandrova’s aggressive, calculated shot-making. The winner will likely be the player who manages the pressure of the final best, lands the higher percentage of first serves, and limits unforced errors on the big points. For Rybakina, it is about maintaining the composure and dictation she showed in the semifinal; for Alexandrova, it is about trusting her historically successful game-plan against the Wimbledon champion.
Doubles Championship: Unseeded Threat vs. Resurgent Seeds
The day’s events kick off at 2:30 PM with the Doubles Final, featuring the unseeded American/Russian duo of Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) and Liudmila Samsonova against the fourth seeds, Timea Babos (HUN) and Luisa Stefani (BRA).
- Melichar-Martinez/Samsonova: This unseeded pairing has demonstrated excellent teamwork to reach the final. Melichar-Martinez is a highly-accomplished doubles specialist and a former World No. 6, known for her net skills and consistency. Her partnership with the singles-specialist power of Samsonova, who brings raw power and a thunderous serve to the court, creates a volatile and exciting combination.
- Babos/Stefani: The seeded pair brings a wealth of Grand Slam-winning experience. Babos is a four-time major doubles champion and former World No. 1, with a history of success in prestigious tournaments. Her partner, Stefani, is the first Brazilian woman to reach the WTA top 10 in the Open era, an Olympic bronze medalist, and a mixed-doubles major champion. Their journey to the final as the fourth seeds solidifies their status as a consistently formidable duo.
The doubles final will be decided before the Singles Championship, with the trophy presentation ceremony scheduled for approximately 20 minutes before the singles players take the court. Overseeing all the proceedings is the team of WTA Officials, including Supervisor Clare Wood and Referee Tony Cho, though the schedule remains flexible at the supervisor’s discretion. The day promises a fitting climax to the 2025 AUX Ningbo Open.
