Zheng Saisai beats world No. 6 Kiki Bertens for Qatar Open quarters

China's Zheng Saisai extended her winning streak at the Qatar Total Open to three matches on Wednesday night with a thrilling comeback win over world number 6 Kiki Bertens.

The seventh-seeded Dutchwoman looked on course for a routine victory after running away with the first set, but the Chinese clawed her way back into the contest with stunning composure and resilience, wrapping up the encounter 3-6, 6-3, and 6-4.

The triumph means that Zheng has reached the quarterfinals of the WTA event for the first time in four years. It was also her 6th career win over world's top-10 players following her victories over Karolina Pliskova (2016), Angelique Kerber (2016), Agnieszka Radwanska (2016), Elina Svitolina (2017) and Aryna Sabalenka (2019).

Zheng saisai will become the 2nd highest-ranked player in China after beating Kiki Bertens during the Qatar Total Open 2020 in Doha, Qatar, February 26, 2020. /VCG

Zheng is now breathing down her compatriot Wang Qiang's neck as her latest heroics in Doha is expected to see the 26-year-old overtake Zhang Shuai to become the second highest-ranked tennis player in China.

Next up for Zheng is Belarusian ninth seed Sabalenka, who displayed fine form by thrashing Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-3, 6-0. It will be the third time that the pair clash with the head to head statistics being 1-1.

Meanwhile, World number three Karolina Pliskova suffered a surprise loss as Tunisian Ons Jabeur defied the odds to see off the seventh seed 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Jabeur, who became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final in Melbourne, will take on Petra Kvitova in a last-eight tie on Thursday.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in action during the Qatar Total Open 2020 in Doha, Qatar, February 26, 2020. /VCG

Earlier in the day, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova overwhelmed former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

Australia's top-ranked Ashleigh Barty, who advanced to the quarters via a walkover after her opponent Elena Rybakina withdrew with a leg injury, will play Garbine Muguruza for a semi-final spot after the Australian Open runner-up beat Ukrainian young talent Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-4.

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova was also the beneficiary of a walkover after her American opponent Amanda Anisimova withdrew. She will next face Swiss fourth seed Belinda Bencic, who outclassed Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-3.