NANCHANG, China (AP) - Top-seeded Zhang Shuai moved into the Jiangxi Open quarterfinals for the first time after beating Margarita Gasparyan 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday.
World No. 32 Zhang, the top-ranked Chinese player, needed around 90 minutes for the second-round win over her Russian opponent, who earned her first WTA main-draw win in more than two years when she beat Shilin Xu in the first round.
Zhang, who accepted a wild-card entry, is hoping to clinch her third title. She next plays compatriot Zhu Lin, who earlier beat Czech Tereza Martincova 6-2, 6-3.
Second-seeded Qiang Wang of China survived a scare before beating Sabina Sharipova of Uzbekistan 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
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