Mertens stuns Swiatek to reach China Open semi-final

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:24 · Archive

Elise Mertens has defeated former champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to reach the China Open semi-finals. The 30-year-old Belgian, ranked 19th in the world, produced a composed display to secure back-to-back victories over Grand Slam champions. This is her third WTA 1000 semi-final and her first since 2021. Earlier in the week, Mertens also eliminated American third seed Coco Gauff.

Mertens seized control by dominating the opening-set tiebreak without dropping a point and carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Swiatek to complete one of the tournament's biggest upsets.

In the other semi-final, Zheng Qinwen defeated sixth seed Elina Svitolina 6-3 7-6 (8-6) to book her place in the last four. Playing on a wildcard, Zheng broke Svitolina three times in the opening set. Svitolina responded strongly in the second set to force a tiebreak, but Zheng recovered from a sluggish start in the breaker, reeling off four consecutive points to regain the initiative. Zheng said she was 'just happy to have a lot of winners during the match, and at the end, be brave in important moments'. The victory took her to her fourth career WTA 1000 semi-final and her third on Chinese soil.

Mertens stuns Swiatek to reach China Open semi-final — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

Mertens stuns Swiatek to set up semi-final with ZhengElise Mertens has banished another former champion to reach the China Open semi-finals where she will face home favourite Zheng Qinwen.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 16:35
Mertens stuns Swiatek to set up semi-final with ZhengElise Mertens has banished another former champion to reach the China Open semi-finals where she will face home favourite Zheng Qinwen.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 16:35

In this story: Elise Mertens · Iga Swiatek · Zheng Qinwen · Elina Svitolina · Coco Gauff · China Open · Beijing

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