Stephens falls to inspired Cibulkova in China Open

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Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova rallied from a set down to defeat former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 4-6 6-2 6-3 and reach the quarter-finals of China Open on Wednesday in Beijing.

An error-prone Cibulkova allowed American Stephens to race into a one set lead before clawing her way back. Having dragged the match into a decider, Cibulkova found her range to close out victory within two hours.

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia hits a return during her women's singles match against Sloane Stephens (not pictured) of the US in China Open at the China National Tennis Centre in Beijing, October 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

Cibulkova's first win over Stephens in three years, following defeats in Acapulco, Mexico, and at last year's US Open, earned her a last eight clash with Anastasija Sevastova.

The Latvian advanced with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Croatia's Donna Vekic.

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic serves to Aliaksandra Sasnovich (not pictured) of Belarus during their women's singles match of China Open at the China National Tennis Centre in Beijing, October 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic cruised past Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-3 6-4 in a second round clash to set up a meeting with China's Wang Qiang.

Wang won the last meeting between the two players, at last week's Wuhan Open.

Zhang Shuai of China defeats Timea Babos (not pictured) of Hungary during their women's singles match of China Open at the China National Tennis Centre in Beijing, October 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

China's local hope Zhang Shuai beat Hungary's Timea Babos 6-1 6-2 and faces Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber next.

Source(s): Reuters