Madrid Open: Zheng Saisai loses to Stephens, Osaka reaches quarters

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China's Zheng Saisai crashed out in the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, as 8th seed Sloane Stephens staged a thrilling comeback to storm into the quarter-finals for the first time.

The 25-year-old Zheng, who overwhelmed Alize Cornet in three lengthy sets in the previous round, got off to a quick start by powering ahead to take the opening set 6-3. But Stephens quickly recovered and rallied to turn this hard-fought clash on its head by sealing the second and deciding sets 6-3, 6-2.

Next up for Stephens is Petra Martic, who earned a second walkover in a row when her compatriot Donna Vekic retired in the third set of their match.

Naomi Osaka in action during the third round of Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, world number one Naomi Osaka edged out a 6-2, 6-3 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich to make it into the last eight, setting up a meeting with unseeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

"I'm in a really good place right now. I feel like I'm having fun playing tennis again which is always a good thing and I always play well if I have that mentality," said Osaka.

World number two Kvitova brushed past France's Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-3 and will face seventh seed Kiki Bertens in the next round.

Simona Halep in good form against Viktoria Kuzmova during the 4th day of the Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Two-time Madrid champion Simona Halep is also through to the quarter-finals in Madrid with a dominant display against Slovak star Viktoria Kuzmova. The world number three lost only 12 points in the entire match which she described as her best-ever performance.

"I think it was the best match that I have ever had. I remember once I won 6-0, 6-0 in 2016 in Bucharest, the final but it's the best match and I'm happy with the way I played," said Halep.

Rafael Nadal made a dominant start to the Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

In men's singles, Rafael Nadal produced a comfortable 6-3 6-3 win over Canadian teenager Felix Auger Aliassime to reach the last 16 while unseeded Laslo Djere knocked out Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka all advanced to the last 16 with straight-sets wins as did Alexander Zverev, who beat home favorite David Ferrer 6-4, 6-1 in the last match of the Spaniard's career.

Ferrer, 37, announced earlier in the year he would end his 19-year career at the Madrid Open and prolonged his time on court by a day by beating Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday but was easily overpowered by world number four Zverev.

(With input from agencies)