China's Wang Yafan reaches WTA Shenzhen semi-finals
Updated 09:22, 08-Jan-2019
CGTN
["china"]
Home hope Wang Yafan continued her run into the semifinals after destroying Romanian Monica Niculescu 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the quarterfinals of the WTA Shenzhen Open on Friday.
Wang was on the verge of elimination when she was 5-6 down in the second set, before she stormed to win seven consecutive games, turning the match around.
"I think the key to the comeback was the change in my mindset," Wang said after the match.
"I lost my patience and got too many unforced errors in the first set. I tried to calm down from the second set; then I became more and more confident," she added.
Wang Yafan in action against Romania's Monica Niculescu in Shenzhen, China, January 4, 2019. /VCG Photo

Wang Yafan in action against Romania's Monica Niculescu in Shenzhen, China, January 4, 2019. /VCG Photo

The 24-year-old is seeking to become the first local finalist in Shenzhen since 2014, when Li Na defeated Peng Shuai in an all-Chinese final.
Wang will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal. The Belarusian managed to reach the last four after No. 5 seed Maria Sharapova was forced to retire in the second set of the quarterfinal, trailing 6-1, 4-2.
"I think it will be a match full of power. My tactic tomorrow is to focus on speed and angle," Wang said.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency