Halep to face Saisai in Shenzhen Open semis

Shenzhen, Jan 8: World No.3 Simo Halep registered an easy win in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Shenzhen Open quarter–fils here on Thursday. Halep defeated Aleksandra Krunic 6–3, 6–3 in 62 minutes and will face Zheng Saisai in the semi–fil, the only Chinese survivor in the last four. The contest was tighter between Zheng and Kazakhstan’s Zari Diyas, who both belong to the coaching team led by Ma Weikai. World No. 32, Diyas stormed to a 6–3 win in the first set. But Zheng won the second set 7–6 (2) and took the third 6–2. Russian Vera Zvoreva withdrew when 2–3 down in the first set due to back injury, sending her doubles partner Timea Bacsinszky to the semis. Bacsinszky will meet world No.4 Petra Kvitova, who beat Tereza Smitkova 7–5, 6–4 in a Czech derby. "I know that she (Bacsinszky) can play very well, and I remember her game in Wuhan. She can be very dangerous and give me pressure. That’s what I should prepare for," said Kvitova. IANS