Zhang Shuai fights back to reach Guangzhou Open quarters

Zhang Shuai relied on her experience and a warming serve to grind her way into the Guangzhou Open quarterfinals for the fifth time, coming from a set down to beat Veronika Erjavec 3–6, 6–3, 6–2.

The 36-year-old dropped the first set but responded in the second by creating four break opportunities and converting three. In the decider, Zhang's serve increasingly did the heavy lifting – her first-serve points won topped 80 percent, effectively shutting down Erjavec's chances of a comeback.

The win continues a tidy run for Zhang on this year's China swing: she has now won at least two singles matches at every stop and will next meet American Katie Volynets.

In other action, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto edged out China's Wang Xiyu in just over two hours, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3. Cocciaretto grabbed the opening set, Wang fought back to level, and in the decider, Cocciaretto led 3–1 before taking a medical timeout to treat a leg issue. She then rattled off five straight games to close out the match and advance to a quarterfinal meeting with Ann Li.