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The last five Ningbo Open champions as Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek headline 2026 draw

The 2026 Ningbo Open has officially released its draw, featuring two of the sport’s biggest stars in unseeded Elena Rybakina and top-seeded Iga Świątek. The WTA 500 tournament, set to kick off in China, will see Rybakina—who is nearing the end of a standout season—compete in one of her final events before the WTA Finals.

Meanwhile, Świątek, the reigning champion, has been granted a seeded spot, ensuring her path to the title remains a priority as she eyes a strong finish to the year. The draw also includes rising talent Alexandra Eala, who will look to capitalize on recent form improvements after a rough stretch of results.

With several high-profile players withdrawing from upcoming tournaments, the field in Ningbo is shaping up to be a battleground for the final WTA Finals qualification spots, adding extra intrigue to the competition.

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