Home hero Zhang Shuai cruised past Simona Halep to book a quarter-final place at the rain-hit China Open on Thursday. Zhang overpowered fifth-ranked Halep 6-0, 6-3 to delight the home crowd.
It was a day of upsets as Elina Svitolina ousted top seed Angelique Kerber, scuppering her plans of a 12th quarter-final this season, and intermittent rain interrupted — and then suspended — play on the open-air outer courts.
The 19th-ranked Svitolina beat Kerber — who ascended to the top of the rankings at the US Open, the same week she also claimed her second Grand Slam crown — with a 6-3, 7-5 win.
Kerber, who had her right thigh taped during the match, had a break lead in each set but appeared glued to the baseline and was unable to take control.
“I know that I have to move very well when I play my game, and I couldn’t play my game like I play,” Kerber told reporters.
The German still plans to play in Hong Kong next week as she chases points to end the year atop the rankings — but her right leg may alter her plans.
Konta prevails over Pliskova Briton Johanna Konta scored her first ever win over US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova in a three-set tie-break, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2). Agnieszka Radwanska put friendship aside to secure her second consecutive win over Caroline Wozniacki in the pair’s third meeting in as many weeks.
Third-ranked Radwanska booked her quarterfinal spot on the third match point with a dash to the net to return a drop shot from the Dane to win 6-3, 6-1.
“We know each other for 17 years. Practising together as well almost every tournament, playing some matches against each other. I think we know about each other everything,” she added.
Monfils, Kyrgios in last-eight Tokyo: French second seed Gael Monfils advanced to the Japan Open quarterfinals with a victory over compatriot Gilles Simon on Thursday in a field blighted by injury.
The world no. 8 nailed seven aces to oust Simon 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 16 minutes.
In the quarter-finals, the Frenchman will face Croatian seventh seed Ivo Karlovic, who tiptoed past Serb Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (11/9), 7-6 (7/5). Gilles Muller of Luxembourg beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-3, 6-4, and will be pitted against Australian Nick Kyrgios, who received a pass after Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic retired due to a back problem.
