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Iga Swiatek handed golden WTA Finals lifeline as the Ningbo Open draw is released

The race for the final spot at the WTA Finals has taken a dramatic turn with the release of the Ningbo Open draw, offering Iga Świątek a critical opportunity to secure her place in the year-end championship. Świątek, who suffered an unexpected semifinal exit at the Wuhan Open, now faces a potential lifeline in Ningbo, where she could accumulate enough points to qualify for the prestigious event in Indian Wells.

Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina, the reigning champion of the Ningbo Open, is also in contention, aiming to defend her title and further solidify her position in the rankings. With only three players—Świątek, Karolina Muchová, and Marta Kostyuk—still vying for the last spot, the stakes are high as the tournament approaches its final stretch.

Muchová currently leads the pack with 4,735 points, adding pressure on her rivals to perform strongly in the coming weeks. The draw also reveals a challenging path for Alexandra Eala, who will need to navigate a tough route if she hopes to challenge for the title.

The Ningbo Open, set to kick off soon, will serve as a pivotal stop in the season’s final push toward the WTA Finals.

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