Liudmila Samsonova in action during the Mubadala Citi DC Open women's singles round of 16 in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 2, 2023. /CFP
Eighth-seeded Russian Liudmila Samsonova continued her title defense with a clean 6-1, 6-3 victory over Sorana Cirstea of Romania in less than an hour on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Samsonova won 25 of 29 first-service points as she continues her quest to earn back-to-back titles at the event she beat Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final a year ago. Cirstea, on the other hand, only managed to save one of five break points.
In two other second-round matches, No. 6 seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland swept local Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-4, and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina upset fifth-seeded Russian Daria Kasatkina with a 6-2, 6-2 outing.
Shang Juncheng in action during the Mubadala Citi DC Open men's singles second round in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 1, 2023. /CFP
Earlier on Tuesday, China's 18-year-old qualifier Shang Juncheng reached the last 16 at the ATP500 level for the first time in his career, surpassing 43rd-ranked local Ben Shelton 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to set up his next round against 2nd seed Frances Tiafoe of the U.S.
The win means Shang has defeated Shelton twice in two weeks, having beaten him 6-4, 6-4 in Atlanta a week ago.
"He's playing at home front and is ranked 10th in the world. The match will be tough, but I'll play my style of tennis," said Shang of his opponent in his next match.
(With input from agencies)