A tense first set before the breakthrough: Anisimova prevails against Zhang Shuai in Beijing

Amanda Anisimova managed to win an intense match against Zhang Shuai, saving set points during a thrilling tie-break in the first set.

In the final match of the day at the Beijing WTA 1000, local player Zhang Shuai, who had defeated her compatriot Wang Xinyu in the previous round, hoped this time to take down Amanda Anisimova, the world's 4th-ranked player.

The task seemed daunting, but there was a battle in this duel, at least in the first set. Broken early, the American had to work hard to catch up, which she ultimately did.

It was only after a breath-taking tie-break that Anisimova, on her eighth opportunity and after saving three set points, finally gained the upper hand in over an hour (13-11 in the tie-break).

Zhang Shuai, ranked 112th in the world and a wildcard entry, had let her chance slip away. Ruthless and boosted by winning the previous set, Anisimova then cruised through the second set (7-6, 6-0 in 1 hour 27 minutes).

The American advances to the round of 16 at this Beijing WTA 1000 and will face Karolina Muchova, who benefited from Paula Badosa's early retirement earlier in the day, for a spot in the quarterfinals. This will be the second meeting between the two players. At Roland Garros 2022, Anisimova advanced due to her opponent's retirement.