World number one Elena Rybakina reached the Ningbo Open quarter-finals on Thursday after Polina Kudermetova retired with an injury.

The top seed and defending champion led 5-0 when Kudermetova, the world number 105 from Uzbekistan, withdrew from their second-round match in eastern China.

Rybakina will now face Poland’s unseeded Katarzyna Kawa for a place in the semi-finals.

The 27-year-old Kazakh star returned to competition after withdrawing from the Wuhan Open because of a foot injury. She had also suffered a surprise second-round defeat in Beijing earlier this month.

Rybakina’s recent achievements have strengthened her position among the leading players on the women’s tour. She won the US Open in September for her third Grand Slam title and overtook Aryna Sabalenka to claim the world number one ranking in New York.

Eala Exits After Shnaider Victory

Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala’s Ningbo Open campaign ended in the last 16 after Diana Shnaider defeated the Filipino player 7-5, 6-4.

PSX Sheds 1,335 Points as Oil Price Fears Weigh on Investors

The Russian world number 13 used her power and consistency to overcome Eala in a match lasting one hour and 55 minutes. Shnaider will meet American teenager Iva Jovic in the quarter-finals.

Eala, 21, made history in August by becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title. Her performances have attracted strong support from Filipino fans at tournaments.

After beating France’s Diane Parry in straight sets in the previous round, Eala faced a tougher challenge against Shnaider.

The Russian took the opening set 7-5 after more than 50 minutes. Eala fought hard in the second set, but Shnaider increased the pressure on her serve in the ninth game.

Shnaider then secured a crucial break to lead 5-4 before holding serve to seal the victory.

The win keeps the 22-year-old Russian on course to pursue her sixth WTA singles title.

Jovic Stuns Paolini to Reach Quarter-Finals

American teenager Iva Jovic also booked her place in the last eight with a straight-sets victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.

The 18-year-old defeated the two-time Grand Slam finalist 6-4, 6-3 to set up her quarter-final clash with Shnaider.

With Rybakina still in contention and several rising players advancing, the Ningbo Open quarter-finals promise further action as the tournament progresses.