Zhang Shuai reaches China Open quarters after beating Magdalena Frech

Zhang Shuai of China knocked out No. 23 seed Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-4, 6-2 in the women's singles round of 16 at the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday, reaching the quarterfinals at the tournament for the third time in her career.

The Chinese crowd favorite converted her first break point in the fourth game of the first set to lead 3-1, but Frech immediately returned the favor before holding to level things at 3-3. Zhang then converted another break point in the tenth game and claimed the set to grab a 1-0 edge in the match.

Zhang also enjoyed a strong start in the second set, after converting three straight breaks to build a 5-1 lead. She had a chance to end the contest in the seventh game, but squandered three match points, including surrendering a break to Frech. But in the following game, Zhang refused to let the victory slip away and sealed the deal with her sixth break of the match.

In advancing to the quarterfinals, Zhang matched her best performance at the China Open. The 35-year-old veteran will face 15th-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain next.

"I want to thank everyone for coming to support me from around the country during the Chinese National Day holiday," Zhang said after the victory. "Your applause, cheering and encouragement have been my biggest motivation."

No. 4 seed Coco Gauff of the USA also progressed to the last eight on Tuesday after her opponent, Naomi Osaka of Japan, retired from the match with a lower back injury before the third set. Gauff carried Osaka's bag as they left the court.

"It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this. Especially at one set all," Gauff said. "Overall I tried my best. It wasn't my best tennis. It was one of those matches where you try your best each point."

Gauff will take on Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine next.