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Diana Shnaider reached the quarter-finals of the Jiangxi Open on Wednesday. The 19-year-old moved on after her opponent, Vera Zvonareva retired mid-match. Shnaider was leading the 39-year-old 6-3, 0-1 when the latter’s illness made her stop play, abruptly.
The Jiangxi Open’s the second tournament in China where Shnaider’s reached the quarter-final stage. Earlier at the Ningbo Open, she made it to the quarters before going all the way to what was her maiden career finale.
She lost to Ons Jabeur at that time. Incidentally, Zvonareva also reached the quarters in Ningbo before also crashing out at the hands of Jabeur.
Jiangxi Open: Camila Osorio scores an emphatic upset
Meanwhile, looking to reach the semi-finals this week, the 72th-ranked Shnaider will play Nao Hibino.
The Japanese defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 45 minutes in their second-round match. Hibino saved two of the four break points she faced. All four of these came in the second set. She converted four break points on the Australian’s serve, two across each set.
Birrell won slightly more first-serve points as compared to Hibino – 68% to the latter’s 67%. However, the world no. 93 won 60% points on return on her opponent’s second serve. This is the second time this year Hibino’s reached the quarters of a WTA tournament.
Back in July, she reached the quarter-finals of the Prague Open. Third seed Marie Bouzkova put an end to Amina Anshba’s campaign in the Chinese tournament. The Czech Republican came through in a competitive opening set before clinching the match after pocketing a one-sided second set.
The final score after an hour and 29 minutes of play read 7-5, 6-0. Bouzkova will play Camila Osorio next at the Jiangxi Open. The Colombian ousted eighth seed and Bouzkova’s doubles partner, Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-4, 7-5 in their second-round match-up.
The Spaniard had a chance to serve for the second set in the 10th game but failed to bring up a game point. Once she had the break back in her hand, Osorio first consolidated the break to lead 6-5 in the set before breaking Sorribes Tormo for one last time in the match, to secure the win.