Elena Rybakina vs Polina Kudermetova Preview & Prediction | 2026 Ningbo Open | Round of 16

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Elena Rybakina meets Polina Kudermetova in the round of 16 in the 2026 Ningbo Open at the Yinzhou Tennis Center in Ningbo, China.

Ranking points: WTA 500

Start date/time: 21 October 2026 at 4:00 am

Venue: Yinzhou Tennis Center, Ningbo, China

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Juss Sports app

Elena Rybakina vs Polina Kudermetova prediction

Elena Rybakina features for just the second time since her US Open triumph.

The world number one fell at the first hurdle in Beijing and will be eager to get back to business and retain her title here.

First up in her defence of the crown is world number 105 Polina Kudermetova, who beat Cristina Bucsa 7-6 6-2 to tee up her second career meeting with the Kazakhstani star.

Rybakina won their only previous encounter on grass by a 6-4 6-2 scoreline three years ago and we’d expect similar here, with the top seed eager to avoid another early slip. 

Elena Rybakina vs Polina Kudermetova tip: Under 18.5 games