Yafan Wang wins semi spot in Shenzhen

The delayed quarter finals in Shenzhen, plus the remaining two, were played on Day Six in China, after Day Five was washed out.

SHENZHEN 

WTA Quarter finals:

After resuming at 4-6, wildcard Vera Zvonareva defeated qualifier Veronika Kudermetova 4-6 7-5 6-3

After resuming at 0-2, Alison Riske defeated Sorana Cirstea 7-5 6-1, and will play Vera Zvonareva in the semis

Aryna Sabalenka (1) defeated Maria Sharapova (5) 6-1 4-2 (retired)

The opponent for Aryna would be the winner of the quarter final between qualifier Monica Niculescu and Yafan Wang.

Niculescu won 80% of points on her serve in set one and broke the Wang serve twice while not facing a break point herself.  21 unforced errors were the problem for the Chinese player.

6-2 was the outcome but Wang began set two creating two break points on the Romanian serve.

These were saved and Niculescu continued her positive run.

Wang held to love, a winning forehand sealing for 1-1.

Another solid service game from Monica was mirrored by Yafan and it was 2-2.

Wang began following her returns by coming forward to the net and it paid dividends, a break point created in game five.  It vanished with an error, but another good approach and forehand put away presented a second break chance. A Niculescu backhand winner saved this one.

Finally serve was held.  3-2 Niculescu.

Service breaks were exchanged and Wang was now serving at 3-4.

A third straight dropped serve put Niculescu within a game of victory, and her at the line.

Monica failed to serve it out, and the pair ended up in a tie break.

Niculescu began well, taking the first two points.

Then Wang struck back and the next four points went to China with a serve to come.

A winning volley and Wang was up 5-2.  A ripped forehand made it six straight points and four set points for Wang.

One vanished with a long backhand.  The next disappeared with a double fault.

A cool forehand down the line did the trick and the match was square, Wang winning set two 7-6(4).

The deciding set was indeed decisive as Yafan Wang rode her momentum at full pace.  She won 14 of 17 points on her first serve, and 10 of 16 points on her opponent’s first delivery.

Of eight break chances, Wang converted twice - Niculescu failed to convert either of her two opportunities.

Yafan Wang won 2-6 7-6(4) 6-1, and will play the top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semis.