Defending champion:
Petra Kvitová (10) who defeated Kiki Bertens 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3
Round of sixteen:
- Sloane Stephens (8) v Zheng Saisai
Stephens won the only clash the pair previously had, that in Beijing last year in straight sets.
Today Saisai served first and held well, losing just the opening point, and showing off a backhand down the line winner on the way. Stephens was just as authoritative, her forehand winner a reminder of how dangerous she can be. A third comfortable hold gave Saisai a 2-1 advantage, thanks largely to American errors.
Game four was a changer. Down 0-40 after failing with a drop shot, and Saisai winning with one, Stephens saved all three break points, then two more after that. The sixth break point, however, was converted following a Stephens forehand mistake, and Saisai led 3-1
The break was consolidated, Saisai applying great variety in her shot making, and her backhand especially solid.
Stephens was not adapting to the windy conditions, and the errors continued to flow from her racquet. Down 0-30, the eighth seed brought it back to parity, but a backhand pushed wide produced a break point for Saisai. It was saved with a forehand winner from Stephens. Another break chance arrived, and this time Stephens pulled a forehand out of court. Saisai led 5-1 with the double break, and served for the set.
Up 30-0, Saisai netted two forehands and put a backhand long, giving Stephens a break opportunity. She took it, a backhand forcing a Chinese mistake. Stephens held for 3-5, and Saisai went to the line again to try and serve it out.
Two set points came despite a Stephens forehand winner. An American forehand was too long and the set went to Saisai 6-3.
Stephens saved a break point in the opening game of set two, before holding on. At 1-2, Saisai experienced the same as what struck her opponent in game four of the first set. This time it was Saisai who saved a bunch of break points, four in fact, before finally relenting on the fifth, a stunning return doing the trick for Stephens.
The American consolidated for 4-1, and the pair exchanged service breaks in the seventh and eighth games, giving Stephens a 5-3 lead and the chance to serve it out.
Stephens raced to 40-0, thanks to mistakes from Saisai and a wonderful American volley. One set point vanished, but another Saisai error ended the set 6-3 for Stephens, and the match was even.
Stephens broke the Saisai serve to love in the decider, riding the momentum, and setting the trend for the remainder of the match. It was actually a gift from Saisai, with a slew of unforced errors. The Chinese player had chances to break back, with Stephens down 15-40, but the American saved both break points, and led 2-0. That was the last chance for Saisai, whose conversion of break points was only 3 from 16 for the match.
Stephens broke again in the fifth game and lost only two more points on serve before the match ended.
Sloane Stephens won 3-6 6-3 6-2.
- Naomi Osaka (1) defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-3
- Belinda Bencic defeated qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 6-0 6-2
- Simona Halep (3) defeated Viktoria Kuzmova 6-0 6-0
- Ashleigh Barty (9) defeated Yulia Putintseva 4-6 6-1 6-2
- Petra Martic defeated Donna Vekic 4-6 6-3 3-0 (retired)
- Kiki Bertens (7) defeated Anastasija Sevastova (12) 6-1 6-2
- Petra Kvitová (2) defeated Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-3
Quarter final match ups
Naomi Osaka (1) v Belinda Bencic
Simona Halep (3) v Ashleigh Barty (9)
Sloane Stephens (8) v Petra Martic
Kiki Bertens (7) v Petra Kvitová (2)
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