The semi-finals have been drawn at the 2023 WTA Elite Trophy after the group stage concluded with one clash in particular catching the eye between Qinwen Zheng and Lin Zhu.
A historic feat and the chance for a Chinese player for sure to reach the final in Zhuhai. The other clash sees two of the top names in the line-up in Beatriz Haddad Maia and Daria Kasatkina face off.
Haddad Maia was the second player through after defeating Caroline Garcia 6-1, 7-6 in one hour and 34 minutes. It was a second straight-sets win of the week for the Brazilian and ensured that she topped the group and reached a third semi-final of the season.
Lin Zhu set to face compatriot Qinwen Zheng after Kudermetova help
She was joined by Lin Zhu who became the Rose Group winner after being helped by Veronika Kudermetova who saw off Liudmila Samsonova to end her season with a win. Kudermetova was already knocked out of contention, but wouldn't go out without a fight. She saved two match points denying Samsonova a semi-final place.
Samsonova led 5-2, 40-15 on serve in the final set, but from there Kudermetova won 19/23 points on the spit and this came after Kudermetova herself was previously 6-4, 3-0 up in the contest before letting the lead slip finishing up 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victor.
This set up the top clash as Qinwen Zheng finished as the final player through seeing off Jelena Ostapenko in a winner takes all contest. She sealed it 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 with 10 aces and four break points sealed en route.
It is seemingly written in the stars with 'Queenwen' winning the Asian Games and also the Zhengzhou Open recently and could add yet another title in China to also add to Palermo. She will face Lin Zhu now in the semi-finals which is a first for the WTA Elite Trophy.
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