--- title: "Marta Kostyuk Endure Early Exit in Ningbo and Lose WTA Finals 2026 Chances" description: "Marta Kostyuk prematurely ended her second-round match at the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo, losing the first set to Ekaterina Alexandrova and stopping play. The defeat cost the Ukrainian her chances at the WTA Finals 2026." date: 2026-10-21T14:18:21.525Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/marta-kostyuk-early-exit-ningbo-wta-finals tags: [marta-kostyuk, wta, tennis, ningbo, ukraine] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Marta Kostyuk Endure Early Exit in Ningbo and Lose WTA Finals 2026 Chances ![Marta Kostyuk celebrating on the tennis court wearing green athletic wear](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/21/marta-kostyuk-dosrochno-zavershila-match-v-ninbo/marta-kostyuk-dosrochno-zavershila-match-v-ninbo-1.webp) ## Key Points - Marta Kostyuk (3rd seed) prematurely ended her second-round WTA 500 match in Ningbo after losing the first set 4:6 to Ekaterina Alexandrova. - The match on the central court lasted 31 minutes, with Alexandrova's break proving decisive. - The defeat eliminated the Ukrainian's theoretical chance at the WTA Finals 2026, which opened up following Iga Swiatek's withdrawal. - According to sport.ua, Karolina Muchova will be the eighth participant of the Finals, leaving Kostyuk as the first alternate. - Kostyuk continues competing in Ningbo in doubles alongside Leylah Fernandez; Daria Snigur previously lost in three sets. Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has prematurely ended her singles campaign at the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo. Seeded third in the competition, she took to the central court against 'neutral' Ekaterina Alexandrova and lost the first set 4:6 before deciding not to continue the match. This is reported by [Sport RBC.UA](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/marta-kostyuk-dostrokovo-zavershila-match-1792592081.html), referenced by XAB.info. ### Thirty-One Minutes and a Decisive Break According to the source, the match on the central court lasted only 31 minutes. The turning point was Alexandrova's service game resulting in a break, which decided the outcome of the set. After the first set concluded 4:6 in favor of her opponent, Kostyuk stopped playing and did not return for the rest of the match. The official reason for the early withdrawal is not disclosed in the provided materials. ### A Blow to WTA Finals Hopes The defeat in Ningbo significantly impacts the Ukrainian's prospects of securing a spot at the WTA 2026 Finals. Previously, a theoretical opportunity to qualify for the top eight players of the season opened up for Kostyuk after her main competitor in the race, Iga Swiatek, withdrew from the Ningbo tournament. As sport.ua notes, Karolina Muchova will become the eighth participant of the Finals, while Marta, assuming an early end to her season, will remain the first alternate while staying on the entry list for WTA 500 events. ### Doubles Play and Other Ukrainians in Ningbo Despite withdrawing from the singles draw, Kostyuk continues to compete in Ningbo in doubles, partnering with Leylah Fernandez. Thus, the Ukrainian still has the opportunity to contend for ranking points and prize money in the doubles discipline. ### Context: Daria Snigur's Campaign Ends Earlier, another Ukrainian tennis player, Daria Snigur, concluded her run at the Ningbo tournament, losing in three sets to her Polish opponent. Consequently, Marta Kostyuk is now the sole representative of the Ukrainian team in the singles draw at this stage of the competition, and her future in Ningbo will depend on her doubles results and overall health status. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Марта Костюк досрочно завершила матч 1/8 финала на турнире WTA 500 в Нинбо](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/marta-kostyuk-dostrokovo-zavershila-match-1792592081.html) - Primary source: set score 4:6, duration 31 minutes, Alexandrova's break, impact on WTA Finals, doubles pairing with Fernandez, Snigur's defeat. - [Костюк досрочно завершила стартовый матч на пятисотнике в Нинбо](https://sport.ua/news/917733-kostyuk-dosrochno-zavershila-startoviy-match-na-pyatisotnike-v-ninbo) - Confirms the loss of chances for the WTA Finals; clarifies that Karolina Muchova will be the eighth participant and Kostyuk the first alternate. ## FAQ ### What was the score when Marta Kostyuk lost the first set in Ningbo? The Ukrainian lost the first set to Ekaterina Alexandrova 4:6 before stopping the match. The encounter lasted 31 minutes. ### Why is the defeat in Ningbo important for the WTA Finals 2026? Kostyuk's chance to qualify for the top eight arose after Iga Swiatek withdrew from the tournament. The defeat ended this opportunity for the Ukrainian; according to sport.ua, Karolina Muchova will be the eighth participant, with Kostyuk remaining the first alternate. ### Will Kostyuk continue playing in Ningbo? Yes, in the doubles tournament paired with Leylah Fernandez.