WTA Ningbo: Yuan Yue falls to Aleksandrova, missing out on quarterfinals

On October 16, 2025, the second round of the WTA500 Ningbo event wrapped up, determining the quarterfinalists. Chinese competitor Yuan Yue took the center court in the third match and, after battling for 1 hour and 28 minutes, was defeated 3-6, 3-6 by 4th seed Aleksandrova, who recently broke into the WTA Top 10, thus halting Yuan’s progress.

Yuan Yue

The two had met twice last year, with Yuan winning in the first round of the Paris Olympics, while Aleksandrova triumphed at the WTA500 Monterrey event. In today’s match, Aleksandrova’s powerful baseline shots put immense pressure on Yuan. Although Yuan managed an early break in the second set and fiercely saved three match points, she ultimately succumbed.

Yuan Yue has been eliminated in three Chinese tournaments this season after losses to top-10 ranked players. She will continue competing on the WTA Tour aiming to return to the world’s top 100 ranking and secure a main draw spot at next year’s Australian Open. In the post-match press conference, she reflected: “Today I felt a bit stuck on my feet and my reactions were slower. Actually, before these matches, I already felt increasingly tired physically and mentally. But this is normal for me; since the US season, I’ve faced very strong opponents and have pushed myself to maintain a high level over a long period, and I believe I’ve done that. Looking back at my performances over the past two to three months, I’m quite satisfied.”

Paolini

Second seed Paolini made her Ningbo debut today and, in great form recently, performed well against longtime rival V. Kudermetova, winning in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 to advance. This victory evens their head-to-head record at 3-3 and narrows the gap between Paolini and Andreyeva in the race for championship points.

After the match, Paolini said: “I’m happy with my performance in my first match here in Ningbo. My opponent played well too, so it was a tough win. I just focused on the tennis and each match, trying to put aside thoughts about qualifying for the year-end finals and doing my best on court to earn a spot.”

Rybakina

As a direct contender for a WTA year-end finals spot against Paolini, the tournament’s 3rd seed Rybakina, despite missing two match points in the second set tiebreak, ultimately beat Yastremska 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals. In a post-match interview, Rybakina said: “Playing her is always very tough. The humidity here in Ningbo was challenging for me as well. I’m glad to have won.”

Since Andreyeva lost to Zhu Lin yesterday, tomorrow’s quarterfinal matches are crucial for both Paolini and Rybakina to close the gap in championship points: if Paolini reaches the semifinals while Rybakina does not, Paolini and Andreyeva will secure the last two spots for the WTA year-end finals.

Kessler

In the earliest second-round singles match, American Kessler overcame a lost 4-0 lead in the first set to defeat 8th seed Samsonova 7-6(5), 6-1, earning her fourth career victory over a top-20 player and advancing strongly into the singles quarterfinals. After the match, Kessler expressed how much she appreciates the support she feels in China, which she doesn’t experience elsewhere. Next, she will face Aleksandrova for a spot in the semifinals.

In doubles, Tang Qianhui and Eikeri narrowly defeated L. Kichenok and Perez 3-6, 6-3, 11-9 to reach the semifinals first, where they will challenge the 4th seeds Babos and Stefanie for a place in the final.

WTA Ningbo Women’s Singles Quarterfinals Matchups

[W] Zhu Lin vs Schneider [7]

[4] Aleksandrova vs Kessler

[Q] Tomjanovic vs Rybakina [3]

[6] Bencic vs Paolini [2]

October 17 Schedule

Tomorrow’s women’s singles quarterfinals will take place sequentially on the center court. Starting at 13:00 Beijing time, the match between Paolini and Bencic will kick off; Aleksandrova versus Kessler will follow; and Rybakina will play Tomjanovic in the third match. Chinese player Zhu Lin will close the session on center court, facing 7th seed Schneider for a semifinal spot. Additionally, the Chinese duo Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai will compete on the grandstand court aiming for a women’s doubles semifinal berth.

(Text and editing by Dato; photos courtesy of Visual China)