Top seed Ashleigh Barty inflicted defending champion Victoria Azarenka’s heaviest defeat in 14 years as she booked her place in the last eight of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Australia’s world No 1 Barty surged to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Azarenka, wrapping things up in an hour and 11 minutes.
There have been just two previous matches in the Belarusian’s career in which she has managed to win only two games, both coming in 2007 when she was aged 17.
Barty will now play Barbora Krejcikova, who beat Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-7, 6-2.
Second seed Naomi Osaka, beaten by Azarenka in last year’s final, was stunned by Swiss wildcard Jil Teichmann, who hit back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
World No 76 Teichmann will now play for a place in the semi-finals against compatriot and 10th seed Belinda Bencic, who advanced after Karolina Muchova retired due to injury while trailing 7-5, 2-1.
Fifth seed Karolina Pliskova beat America’s Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-6 to set up a last-eight clash with Spain’s Paula Badosa, who won 6-2, 7-6 against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
Petra Kvitova, the 11th seed, will play Germany’s Anna Kerber in the other quarter-final.
Czech Republic’s Kvitova cruised through after a 6-2, 6-1 win against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur and three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber overcame Latvian Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
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Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
