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Elise Mertens beats Iga Świątek to reach first China Open singles semifinal
Elise Mertens wins 7–6 (0), 6–3 in Beijing without facing a break point and will meet Zheng Qinwen for a place in the final.
Elise Mertens defeated Iga Świątek 7–6 (0), 6–3 on Friday to reach her first China Open singles semifinal, winning the Beijing quarterfinal in one hour and 50 minutes.
The Belgian did not face a break point. She won 33 of 38 points behind her first serve, hit 24 winners and made 11 unforced errors, according to the WTA’s match report.
After a close first set, Mertens won all seven points in the tie-break. She then broke for a 3–1 lead in the second set and held to make it 4–1, maintaining the advantage through the finish.
It was Mertens’ first victory over Świątek in three WTA meetings. Her run in Beijing has now included consecutive wins against Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff and Świątek.
Mertens has reached China Open doubles semifinals before, but this is her first singles appearance at that stage. It is also her first WTA 1000 singles semifinal since 2021.
She will face Zheng Qinwen on Saturday, October 10. Zheng beat Elina Svitolina 6–3, 7–6 in the other quarterfinal on their side of the draw. Mirra Andreeva and Nikola Bartůňková will contest the other semifinal, with Saturday’s winners advancing to the singles final.
