retains

The victory helped the Kazakh take a big step towards securing the year-end number one ranking.

Elena Rybakina blazed past unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-2 in the Ningbo Open final to retain her title and lift her first trophy as the world number one ahead of the WTA Finals next month.

The victory on Sunday also helped the Kazakh take a big step towards securing the year-end number one ranking, further burnishing a spectacular season in which she won the Australian Open title before adding the US Open crown to reach the summit.

Top seed Rybakina made the breakthrough with her trademark power in the fifth game and then unleashed a searing crosscourt backhand winner to go 4-2 up, before the 27-year-old wrapped up the opening set in only 38 minutes.

World number 30 Fernandez made a bright start to the next set but Rybakina absorbed the pressure and raised her level to force an error and break for 2-1, with the three-time Grand Slam champion breezing to victory from there.

Rybakina’s latest triumph is a timely lift after setbacks in Beijing and Wuhan, as she turns her attention to the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week before launching her title defence at the season finale in Indian Wells from November 8.

A sell-out crowd of 19,000 packed the O2 Arena and made their allegiances clear.

Wardley’s charismatic yet measured personality has made him a popular figure. He looked full of purpose as he took his time on stage, fireworks exploding in front of him, his usual smile replaced by a look of determination.

Dubois, meanwhile, was greeted by jeers as he marched straight past the fireworks and towards the ring, wasting little time soaking up the occasion.

Actor Paddy Considine, comedian Rob Beckett, Oasis star Noel Gallagher and darts world champion Luke Littler were among the famous faces in attendance.

With 41 knockouts between the fighters, few expected the judges to be called upon. The feeling beforehand was that Wardley’s best chance lay in making another fast start, having dropped Dubois inside the opening moments of their first meeting.

But in a stunning reversal, it took just 17 seconds for Wardley to hit the canvas as Dubois backed him into a corner and landed a straight right.

Chants of ‘oh Fabio Wardley’ were quickly silenced as Dubois continued to unload punishing combinations. Another furious attack towards the end of the round left Wardley in deep trouble.

Trainer Ben Davison, criticised for not withdrawing Wardley sooner in their first contest, stood poised with a towel in his hand as his fighter survived to the bell.

There had already been concerns over whether Wardley had returned too quickly after the punishment he absorbed in May, when he was left bloodied and badly swollen.

And those fears appeared justified as the challenger struggled to cope with Dubois’ relentless pressure. Wardley’s hands were low and his punches wild and telegraphed, lacking the menace he had shown in Manchester.

Backed into the corner again in the second round, he was subjected to another barrage before Davison leapt up and threw in the towel.

The two men could hardly be more different outside the ring. Dubois was typically reserved throughout fight week, looking uncomfortable in the media spotlight. Wardley, by contrast, was relaxed and articulate, insisting he had learned from his mistakes.

But despite their contrasting personalities and fierce rivalry, there was mutual respect at the end of the fight.

More to follow.