Defending champion:
Caroline Wozniacki (2) who defeated Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 6-3
Quarter final results
- Ash Barty (1) defeated Petra Kvitová (7) 4-6 6-4 6-3
A match from the very top drawer, as was no doubt predetermined considering we had the world number one clashing with a player firing on all cylinders this week.
Barty and Kvitová had already played three times this year with the Czech star winning twice in Australia and the Australian prevailing In Miami, her first success in four meetings between the pair.
In Beijing, after four even games, Kvitová fired the first shot, breaking the Barty serve, winning the final three points of the game.
For the rest of the set, it was tight entertaining tennis, and no serve was taken to deuce, so Kvitová served it out 6-4.
Down a set, Barty needed a solid start in the next phase, but she was immediately under pressure 0-30 in the opening game. Eventually a break point had to be addressed, and it was done so to the top seeds credit. However, it took three wasted game points before finally Barty held serve and breathed a sigh of relief to see 1-0 on the scoreboard.
The next three games passed by without drama, but again the fifth game was the cause of distress for Barty.
A poor serving display had her facing two break points, but thankfully for her, Kvitová failed to take advantage of a second serve on the second of these.
Barty held on and the set progressed to 4-3 in the Australian’s favour.
Upping the ante after her dice with danger, Barty placed pressure on the Czech serve in game eight, using the slice to all parts of the court and worrying Kvitová into problems after seemingly comfortable at 30-15. Two break points were saved in moving the score to 4-4.
Following another service hold, from a precarious 15-30, Barty once more created break points on the Kvitová serve, but this time it was 15-40, and they were set points. The second one was used to level the match at 4-6 6-4.
Set three began with a pair of service breaks and then Barty visiting deuce twice after having 40-0, before leading 2-1.
The next four games saw only two points lost to serve. Neither were on Barty whose two love games were the first delivered by either player for the match. It was becoming clear that the top seed was marginally now in control.
In a 14 point game eight, trailing 3-4, Kvitová saved a break point, couldn’t convert three game points, then surrendered on a second break point.
Barty served for the match, and raced to 40-0 with fine serving. Nerves showed with a double fault and two further wobbles leading to deuce. However, Ash Barty steadied to win a semi final berth 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Winners to unforced errors alone proved the quality of this encounter.
Ash Barty 31-20
Petra Kvitová 38-28
- Kiki Bertens (8) defeated Elina Svitolina (3) 7-6(6) 6-2
- Naomi Osaka (4) defeated Bianca Andreescu (5) 5-7 6-3 6-4
This ended a match winning streak of 17 for Andreescu, and it is the first loss to a top ten player in nine matches for the Canadian.
- Caroline Wozniacki (16) defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-3 7-6(5)
The defending champion is still a chance to make it successive titles.
Semi final match ups
Ash Barty (1) v Kiki Bertens (8)
Naomi Osaka (4) v Caroline Wozniacki (16)
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