Shuai Zhang stuns Sloane Stephens
China’s Shuai Zhang, beat No.3 seed, Sloane Stephens in the opening match on the Ann Jones Centre Court at the Aegon Classic.
Zhang started the match strong breaking the American immediately and her momentum continued despite strong serving from Stephens.
But it was Stephens’ unforced forced error count that ultimately cost her the first set. The second set fared no better for the American as she was unable to hold serve and went 4-0 down. Her opponent took the match in just under an hour, sealing a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
Zhang will feature in the singles and the doubles semi-finals on Saturday.
Today was her first appearance on the centre court and she is surprised that she has managed to do so well at the start of the grass court season.
After her win, Zhang said: “Before the tournament I never think I can straight win four match to reach the semi-final, because in my life I don't win so many matches on grass.”
Top seed Ana Ivanovic into final four
In their first meeting on grass, top seed Ana Ivanovic beat sixth seed Klara Koukalova 6-1, 6-4 to earn her place in the Aegon Classic semi-finals.
Koukalova, who received treatment on her left leg at the end of the first set, struggled throughout the match especially with her serving.
But it was quite the opposite for the Serbian world No.13 whose serving was largely to thank for her thirty-fifth win this season.
Speaking after her match Ivanovic said: "I really felt I started well and I didn't do much wrong. I was really aggressive, coming in a lot. In the second set, I think I didn't come as much and she started to play actually a lot better in the second set. But really happy with the way I'm playing at the moment."
Ivanovic will play Japan’s Shuai Zhang next, just two matches away from her third title of the year.
Casey Dellacqua dismisses Kimiko Date-Krumm
Casey Dellacqua made light work of her Aegon Classic quarter-final match as she breezed past Kimiko Date-Krumm, 6-1, 6-0.
The Aussie stormed into the lead after making a handful of unforced errors in the first set, while her opponent looked nothing like the player she was the day before where she beat reigning champion, Daniela Hantuchova.
The 43 year old, Date-Krumm was unable to keep up with the sixteenth seed. Her serving continued to falter and in the end, Dellacqua was able to finish off the match with a bagel.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeats Kirsten Flipkens
In the second upset of the day, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated fourth seed Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-2 to book her place in the Aegon Classic semi-finals.
The world No.62 Czech, who is the lowest ranked player left in the final four, will play Australian Casey Dellacqua in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Strycova says she is looking forward to the match: “I'm happy I'm in the semis. I've never played Casey. It's going to be very challenging. She's lefty, and especially on grass it's very difficult to play against lefties."