Elena Rybakina defeated Jasmine Paolini 6–3, 6–2 in the semi-final of the WTA 250 event in Ningbo on hard court, a result that aligned with pre-match odds favouring the Kazakhstani player. Rybakina's dominant performance saw her control both sets, breaking serve consistently and limiting opportunities for Paolini to establish rhythm. The Italian, despite her recent form on the tour, struggled to match Rybakina's serve and court positioning throughout the encounter. Rybakina's commanding display underscores her continued threat on hard courts and positions her favourably for the final, whilst Paolini will reflect on a semi-final exit in what had been a competitive tournament run.