Muguruza moves past Diyas and into Shenzhen semifinals

SHENZHEN, China (AP) — Sixth-seeded Garbiñe Muguruza advanced to the semifinals at the Shenzhen Open by beating Zarina Diyas 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on Thursday.

The two-time Grand Slam champion from Spain had 13 aces, including seven in the final set.

"I was expecting a very tough match, and at the end, it was," Muguruza said. "I think she came out in the second set playing much better. I just kept competing and I'm happy with these kind of victories."

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Muguruza will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova after the fifth-seeded Russian defeated fourth-seeded Qiang Wang 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Also, Elena Rybakina upset third-seeded Elise Mertens 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. She will next meet Kristyna Pliskova, who beat Kateryna Bondarenko 6-4, 6-4.