China's Zhu Lin upsets top seed Andreeva in round of 16 at WTA Ningbo Open

Experience trumped youth as China's Zhu Lin battled back from a set down to upset top‑seeded Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the quarterfinals at the WTA Ningbo Open in front of a passionate home crowd on Wednesday.

Andreeva, the 18‑year‑old Russian who has enjoyed a breakout campaign and recently clinched a spot in the season-ending WTA Finals in doubles alongside Diana Shnaider, claimed the opening set 6‑4 while looking increasingly intent on building up her promising singles résumé.

But Zhu is no ordinary opponent. The 31‑year‑old, who missed last fall's China swing after an elbow injury sidelined her for six months, steadied herself to grab the second set 6‑3. That sent the match into a decider.

Three weeks after losing to the World No. 6 Andreeva in the second round at the China Open in Beijing, Zhu produced a far sterner third set in Ningbo, dominating 6‑2 to seal the third victory of her career against a Top‑10 opponent.

The 219th-ranked Zhu moves into her first Tour‑level quarterfinal since last season's Thailand Open, and will next face Andreeva's doubles partner Shnaider, with a place in the last four up for grabs.