China's Zheng Qinwen reaches Charleston Open quarterfinals for first time

China's reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen secured her 13th consecutive victory on clay by defeating Belgium's Elise Mertens, advancing to the quarterfinals of the WTA Charleston Open for the first time in her career.

In the first-ever matchup between the pair, Zheng showcased her offensive aggression from the outset, scoring her first point with an impressive backhand. She took the first set 6-3 after Mertens sailed a return long.

Mertens responded fiercely in the second set, however, demonstrating her skill with a powerful volley that set the tone for a rally she ultimately won while leading 2-1. The Belgian maintained her momentum, grabbing the set in commanding fashion, 6-0.

In the decisive third set, Zheng made good use of her power advantage, and the battle ended when Mertens found the net. Zheng claimed the frame 6-3, marking her first appearance in the quarterfinals of the tournament, where she is set to face ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.