Svitolina Stuns Kerber At China Open

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina stunned World No 1 Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open on Thursday.

The Ukrainian has now edged out two top-ranked players in the space of two months, having beating Serena Williams at the Rio Olympics in August.

Kerber, who had strapping on her upper right leg, was on a run of 22 wins from 26 matches on the tour.

The German took the lead in both sets. However, Svitolina recovered in time to produce four breaks to win the match.

She will square off in the quarterfinal against Daria Gavrilova, who beat Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-3.

”I was trying to think about my next step, what I should try to do,” said Svitolina.

The 19-year-old knew she needed to hold her composure as she was playing against the highest-ranked women tennis player.

”I tried to make my first serve and concentrated on the next shot, but still I was a little bit shaky.”

On her part, Kerber said she could have won the match if she had taking her chances, adding that the pain on her right leg wasn’t serious.

”I made a lot of easy mistakes. Physically I wasn’t 100 percent, but I will not say this is the excuse for the loss.”