Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta on Friday scored a gritty victory over world number one and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark to set up a semifinal clash against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland at the China Open.
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic was the latest high-profile player to exit the China Open on Friday when the Serb retired from her quarter-final against Agnieszka Radwanska with back problems.
Not in her wildest dreams did Stacey Allaster imagine she'd make it this far.
Despite pulling out of her quarterfinal match against Agnieszka Radwanska, Serbia's Ana Ivanovic - the 2008 French Open winner - said she will be aiming at another Grand Slam title thanks to the confidence she gained during the amazing week she had in Beijing.
China's first Grand Slam champion, Li, has plunged into a career valley following her French Open victory in May, suffering early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open.
World No 12 Agnieszka Radwanska booked a berth of the semifinal due to the injury retirement of Serbian former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic at China Open here on Friday.
Ranked No 389 in the world, China's Zhang Ze failed to challenge world No 6 and top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, losing in straight sets in the second round of the China Open on Thursday.
China's French Open champion Li Na capped the best season of her career by qualifying for the year-end WTA championships in Turkey.
Some people here still remember the 19-year-old qualifier who stole the spotlight from Spanish star Carlos Moya, ousting the top seed in the opening round of the first China Open back in 2004.
Chinese tennis star Li Na on Thursday became the fifth singles player to qualify for the prestigious TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships which would be held in Istanbul.
After local favorite Li Na and world No 15 Peng Shuai suffered quick exits in the first round, Zheng Jie, the only Chinese player left in the women's singles, was downed by 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska, of Poland, in straight sets on Wednesday.
Third seed Vera Zvonareva crumbled to a 6-1 6-2 defeat by Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in the third round of the China Open on Wednesday.
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