Retirement in Ningbo decides the last Finals place
Karolina Muchova has locked up the eighth and last berth at the WTA Finals, the tour's season-ending event, without hitting a ball this week. Her place was confirmed when Marta Kostyuk retired from her second-round match at the Ningbo Open in China on Wednesday, stopping after a medical timeout having lost the first set 6-4 to Ekaterina Alexandrova.[S1][S2][S3]
The WTA Tour had made the equation plain: Kostyuk needed to reach the final in Ningbo to deny Muchova, who was not competing at the tournament. The finals are scheduled for Nov. 8-15 in Indian Wells, California.[S1]
A landmark season for the Czech
Qualifying for the finals adds another high point to Muchova's 2026 campaign. She reached the Wimbledon final, where she faced Linda Noskova, and then paired with Noskova to help the Czech Republic win the Billie Jean King Cup.[S1]
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Iga Swiatek had also been in the running for the remaining spot, but she pulled out of Ningbo because of a thigh injury and announced she was finishing her season early. The other seven players already bound for Indian Wells are Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina and Noskova.[S1]
Alexandrova and Fernandez move on in China
Alexandrova, who took the opening set against Kostyuk before the retirement, next meets Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals. The Canadian advanced by beating Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3, a result that gave her an 11th victory in her past 14 matches.[S1]
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Sara Bejlek knocked out eighth seed Sorana Cirstea 7-6 (3), 6-4 and will face fellow Czech Marie Bouzkova in the last eight. Bouzkova booked her place with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Anastasia Zakharova.[S1]
